Qatari philanthropist donates food items worth over D2.5M to Gambians

The donation is aimed at alleviating the hardship that needy families are going through as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The facilitator, Alhagie Alieu Jarju thanked the government for taking a bold step in protecting its citizens, saying he hoped the food items would help beneficiaries.

He said targeted communities for the gesture were mainly Salikenni and Jammeh Kunda in North Bank Region. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent gesture has been extended to almost the entire country, he added.

Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Communications Infrastructure expressed appreciation to the philanthropist for providing such a gesture. The government, he said also acknowledges the efforts. 

Minister Sillah said the month of Ramadan is a month where people sympathise with those who need assistance.

As a result of the COVID-19, regardless of one’s status, businesses have gone down and the price of items have increased with many other things being disturbed, he pointed out. 

The gesture, he added would ease the expenses of beneficiaries, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. 

Program Coordinator, Sillah Conateh said the Qatari philanthropist, Muhammed Al Noimi provided the food items through the facilitation of Alhagie Alieu Jarju adding that Jarju has been collaborating with Al Noimi since 2004 in carrying out similar humanitarian gesture across The Gambia.

He highlighted that their main interventions are building Masjids, Quranic memorization centers, providing sponsorships and distribution of food items.

Mr Conateh extended gratitude to The Gambia Embassy in Qatar for their significant assistance in facilitating the transfer of funds from Qatar to The Gambia to facilitate their intervention.

The generosity was the second massive donation by the philanthropist in two consecutive years (2020 and 2021).