The group founded in September 2020 awarded The Gambia Red Cross Society a D824,000 grant in support of the covid-19 response effort in The Gambia.
The award recognises the outstanding leadership of the GRCS in its response to the covid-19 pandemic and complements the critical efforts underway to reduce covid-19 transmission.
Specifically, the funding will amplify risk and prevention messaging and increase adherence to public health advice through community engagement and the use of effective communication tools and media programmes including television, and other outreach activities.
In addition, the grant will provide bicycles, PPE kits, mobile phones, and airtime bundles to equip 50 communities surveillance and contact tracing volunteers who will perform work that is critical to reducing the rate of covid-19 transmission and assisting affected households and first responders.
Alasan Senghore, secretary-general The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in receiving the cheque thanked Ngir Gambia for the donation and assured them that the funds will be used for the purpose they are meant for.
He expressed their commitment to continue their efforts towards covid-19 response in The Gambia.
S-G Senghore said the support would help protect their volunteers as well as ensure they quickly identify potential cases and send the signals to health workers for quick response.
He highlighted that The Gambia is witnessing the second wave of the pandemic and response is not matching the current context because people have relaxed in terms of using face masks and observing social or physical distancing.
He urged all Gambians to respect basic principles and guidelines from the ministry of health and WHO by using face masks, observe physical distancing and avoid gatherings to protect our lives.
“We have a responsibility to protect our lives”, he further said, noting that covid-19 is real and still here with us.
Senghore also said that his office is currently more equipped and prepared to face covid-19 and any other health emergency that may arise, adding that they have learnt their lessons and improved their systems as well as developed strategies for covid-19 and other emergencies.
Haddy Dandeh Jabbie, Ngir Gambia representative congratulated The Gambia Red Cross Society for always being at the forefront and their good work.
Madam Dandeh Jabbie added that volunteers’ work is critical in reducing covid-19 transmission, noting that The Gambia Red Cross Society are the first response team to always be called.
She also said that it is important we support and not stigmatise each other.
