His Excellency the Vice President Mr Badara A. Joof has convened a stakeholders’ meeting with partners from the United Nations family and members from the private sector for coordinated relief support to the disaster victims. The meeting took place on August 2nd at the conference hall of the Office of the President.
Addressing the meeting HE Joof said, “after visiting the flood areas one would believe that they are partly man-made and partly due to climate change”; that most of the places affected are areas that are not meant for settlements.He said in consideration of the devastations caused by the recent flood related disasters and the hikes in prices of basic commodities, there was an appeal for short and long-term relief packages for victims.
However, he pointed out that government cannot do it all and that such a crisis requires a multi-sectoral solution. These efforts he emphasised, would require the involvement of the private sector and development partners.
HE Joof called for study or research into the causes of such disasters affecting the country in order to come up with lasting solutions that would serve both short and long-term purposes.
Also speaking at the meeting was the Minister of Environment Climate Change and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang. She affirmed that climate change is real and that it is taking its toll on communities worldwide, The Gambia being no exception. She reported that dumping waste on waterways has also been responsible for floods and related disasters.
The Minister noted that it was widely requested that climate change issues should be factored in future disaster mitigation and relief preparedness plans.
While acknowledging floods and similar disasters are a global phenomenon, Minister John Manjang observed that these disasters are increasingly becoming man-made. She referenced the World Bank-funded West African Coastal Area Project, saying it is geared towards providing both short and long-term solutions to such disaster issues. “The project will take care of the livelihood needs of populations vulnerable to climate change,” she elucidated.
FAO representative Ms Moshibudi Rampedi, who spoke on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, commended VP’s Office for organising such meeting, and assured that UN will be more than ready to support the government’s development agenda.
WHO Country Representative Dr Desta Tiruneh said they will be ready to work with government.
The representative of Gambia Red Cross Society, and Director of Programmes, Mr Abdoulie Faye, said they have already supported 235 households with hygiene kits, bed and bed nets and they also have 109 which should benefit from cash.
Mr Omar Badjie, the Director of ActionAid The Gambia, who represented CRS, and United Purpose also expressed their willingness to work with NDMA for a coordinated relief provision.
Ms Sarata Conateh, who represented The Gambia Chamber of Commerce also pledged her organisation’s support.
The Minister of Transport Works, and Infrastructure, Ebriama Sillah also informed that some of the access roads were badly affected and thus impacting on health delivery and other essential services. “In fact, some of the roads and bridges had to be tampered with to give way to the flood waters. Some of the affected households would in the short-run be accommodated at the Independence Stadium. NAWEC, as indicated, would do a comprehensive assessment of the impact on water and electricity services to gauge the level of damages on its infrastructure,” the Minister reported.
It was recommended that all disaster relief efforts should be coordinated by NDMA to avoid cases of duplications in providing relief services.
Over 1700 households are reported to have been affected by Saturday and Sunday’s down pour and floods.
Two young people – one at Barra and the other at Latriyaa – are reported to have been killed by the floods.
The affected areas visited by the Vice President and team were: Bertling Harding Highway (Traffic Light to Senegambia area), Nemaa Suu, Brikama, Jabang, Jabang Estate, Madiyana and Youna.
The UN development partners expressed sympathy with the victims, expressed solidarity with government and indicated their willingness to support government’s disaster relief efforts. They requested for an assessment report to know the extent of the damage caused by the floods.