Lang Yabou made these remarks at the commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund held at United Nations in New York.
Ambassador Yabou highlighted that for The Gambia, the fund’s intervention is in a project called the use of drones for pre- and post-disaster management and the implementation of the project is at an advanced stage as the country continues to witness yet other floods since August 2020.
The implementation of the project, he said, is helping the National Disaster Management Agency to address capacity gaps, save lives, build resilience and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in The Gambia.
He explained that this is done through environmental trainings, workshops, advocacy campaigns on flood risk management, development of the NDMA website, study tour to Benin Republic, purchasing the necessary equipment, conducting hazard mapping activities for schools and integrating DRR in the national education curricula.
The project, he went on, has already increased the Agency’s visibility as well as awareness of officials on the need for correct data for informed decision-making.
Despite the above achievements, he disclosed that the implementation of the project is not free from the negative effects of COVID-19 Pandemic.
“Notwithstanding, The Gambia is fully committed to continue providing the enabling environment to ensure the successful implementation of the project”.
He further expressed gratitude and appreciation to the government and people of India, UNESCO and all other partners in the UN system as well as the Commonwealth for their support.
