By Olimatou Coker
Gambia Malaysia Students and Alumni Foundation (Gamsa) on Monday presented a cash amount of 70,000 dalasis to the Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) to strengthen its response capacity in the fight against Covid-19.
The foundation also presented 30000 dalasis worth of basic sanitary materials to the Gambia Prison Services (GPS).
Yaya Duwa Sanyang, national Covid-19 response coordinator, used the occasion to warn that the deadly disease is still in the country, and urged people to adhere to WHO guidelines.
He singled out the Red Cross as one of government’s principal partners in the Covid-19 response.
He thanked the GRCS for all it has done since the pandemic, saying government could not have done it all alone.
He expressed their willingness to continue looking for funds to support the Gambia Prisons Services “because any civilised society is gauged by the quality of care it bestowed on most vulnerable people among them”.
Alasan Senghore, secretary-general of the GRCS said there is “a global fatigue” on giving cash assistance as well as on respecting WHO guidelines. But he said it was not the time to relent.
He said his office was ready to deliver where it is absolutely needed.
“We will continue to use resources for the most vulnerable”, he said.
He said the Red Cross acquired five new well-equipped ambulances in addition to the two they have to be able to respond in support of the government and ministry of health as far as Covid-19 is concerned.
Gambsa president Yankuba Mamburay, explained that Gamsa is a new foundation formed by current and former Gambian students in Malaysia.
He said Gamsa was hoping that the gesture will be useful to beneficiaries.
