#National News

Gambia Red Cross Society plants over 2000 trees in NBR

Aug 21, 2024, 11:08 AM | Article By: Fatou Dem

The Gambia Red Cross Society last weekend embarked on a mass tree planting exercise in which more than 2000 seedlings and mangroves were planted in three communities in the North Bank Region.

The communities are Torro-Ba, Suwareh Kunda, and Kuntair. The exercise, also received financial and technical support from USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

At the event, Abdoulie Faye, acting Secretary General of The Gambia Red Cross Society raised the alarming threat posed by climate change, acknowledging that climate change is a reality.

He outlined the need for communities to adapt and put in measures to mitigate its impact in communities.

The GRCS acting SG challenged every Red Cross member, volunteer and community member to plant a tree and be a solution for climate change.

He revealed that NBR is one of the regions that is seriously affected by deforestation, citing a heavy windstorm in 2021, which he said, had a huge impact on the region.

In view of this, Faye called on communities to plant more tress and make a difference.

Mustapha Bah, Alkalo of Torro-Ba, North Bank Region, expressed gratitude to the Gambia Red Cross Society for always supporting the community in the development of their forest.

Momodou A. Bah, a member of the Torro-Ba forest community, sought help in their farmlands which he said, were badly affected by erosion.

He also urged the Gambia Red Cross Society to continue planting more trees in the community’s forest and to always monitor these trees for sustainability.

Jaila B. Gaye, vice chairperson of Torro-Ba Boabab Youth and a member of the community forest, said one of their priorities is to restore their fast-depleting forest cover by making sure the forest cover is preserved and protected.