By Mahzouba Maya Faal
The Vice President of the Republic and Chairman of the National Disaster Governing Council, His Excellency Mohammed B.S Jallow, officially received the substantial sum of $187,641, on behalf of Government, from the African Risk Capacity (ARC) team.
This payout follows the country’s participation in the ARC Group mechanism, which is designed to assist African Union (AU) member states in planning, preparing, and responding more effectively to extreme weather events.
The Government’s participation in this ARC risk pool was facilitated through a collaborative effort of the ARC-Technical Working Group, comprising members from the Accountant Generals Department and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). These efforts translated into substantial support for 17,058 individuals residing in the North Bank, Central, and Lower River Regions through cash transfers.
The participation of The Gambia in the ARC risk pool became a reality thanks to an insurance premium, partly funded by the government itself. Further financial support for the premium was provided by the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi), a framework established through the collaboration of the African Development Bank and the ARC Group.
Madam Linda Carole Tiemoko, Head of Government Services for West and Central Africa, commended The Gambia Government for its proactive approach to managing and mitigating the impact of natural disasters within the country.
Moreover, the National Project Management Coordinator of ARC, Mr. Mawdo Amadou Jallow, provided an update on the effective utilisation of the funds, indicating that an impressive 97% of the allocated resources have already been implemented.
This ARC insurance payout serves as a vital step towards enhancing The Gambia’s resilience against the challenges posed by extreme weather events, providing much-needed support to the communities affected by these disasters. The government’s participation in this initiative underscores its commitment to safeguarding its citizens and agricultural assets from the impacts of climate-related emergencies.
