The project, which forms part of the ECOWAS flood food nutrition program for member states, will be implemented in all the 8 local Government areas (Banjul, Brikama, Mansakonko, Kerewan ,Kuntaur,Janjanbureh and Basse).
The project would further provide multipurpose cash assistance to households through cash transfers as the main component, and provide water, sanitation and sensitisation on the hygienic practices.
As part of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) efforts of NDMA, the project will carry out awareness raising on early warning signs/systems, would adopt holistic approach to community ownership by working with disaster management committees and pilot the implementation of DRR actions from one of the disaster management plans developed by NDMA and its partners.
Speaking at the event, Sanna Dahaba, Executive Director for NDMA, recalled that 2022 was a difficult year for the country; a severe flooding that affected 107,788 individuals resulting in huge economic setback due to damages to critical infrastructure and loss of lives.
As part of their efforts to respond to the situation, he said, ECOWAS mobilised financial resources to support the country, adding that the project would provide multi-purpose cash assistance to 2,650 households with water sanitation and hygiene support.
He underscored their joint efforts in disaster risk reduction in safeguarding the dignity and wellbeing of the affected households. The fund, he added, would go a long way in enhancing recovery of the beneficiary households.
Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS, Claude Kondor, Political Adviser to the Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS to The Gambia, said the regional body had long been committed to alleviating the sufferings of its vulnerable citizens, particularly flood victims.
He added that their support to 2022 flood-affected households provides a unique opportunity for them to enhance their understanding of the effective and efficient implementation of the project.
Mr Kondor assured that ECOWAS would stand its ground to “assist positively and alleviate the sufferings” of victims whenever disasters of such nature occurred in The Gambia and other member states.
For his part, Ousman Ceesay, who spoke on behalf of the Office of the Vice President, acknowledged that The Gambia is vulnerable to disaster, which affects the social fabric, thus necessitating collaboration to ensure resilience.
‘The government is concerned about perennial disaster events that continue to negatively impact the country,’ he said.
The Office of the Vice President, as oversight office, would continue to monitor the situation to ensure that NDMA uses holistic approach for targeting criteria for the implementation of the project, he added.
Amulai Touray, Country Manager for the Catholic Relief Services(CRS), highlighted the frequent intensifying climate events that present fundamental threats to the society, saying: “The project will provide essential social safety nets to flood victims targeting the most vulnerable groups.”
The approach, he added, aligned with CRS Global Strategy Goal 2, which aims to ensure that “all people survive and thrive in the face of disaster”.
