By Olimatou Coker
The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on Thursday launched a project aimed at mitigating the impact of Covid-19 for most vulnerable in selected regions in The Gambia.
The project will be implemented through social mobilization, community engagement and the provision of food and nutrition support through cash transfer.
The project will support 4, 992 individuals in North Bank, West Coast, Lower River, Central River and Upper River Regions of The Gambia with one thousand dalasi (D1,000) each to purchase basic food items as well as other needs of the family for two months.
Women headed households, widows, pregnant and lactating mothers, people living with non-communicable diseases, household heads living with disabilities, household heads living with HIV and AIDS, vulnerable migrants, and youth household heads are set to benefit from the cash transfer.
The objective of the project funded by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiative is to improve awareness on Covid-19 risk with focus on the most vulnerable, as well as improve the nutritional status of vulnerable households, especially women, and children in North Bank, northern parts of Upper River and Central River regions of The Gambia.
In deputizing for CRS country director at the launching held at GRCS headquarters, Baboucarr Bojang commended all stakeholders for their contribution in responding to the pandemic as well as providing the basic needs of our vulnerable population. He thanked Ambassador Lang Yabou for facilitating the process for GRCS and CRS.
He pointed out that restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic have slowed agricultural productivity, adding that there are real risks of food insecurity among vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
Mr Bojang also hailed national and international partners as well as frontline health workers for their tremendous sacrifice since the beginning of the pandemic.
Alasan Senghore, Secretary General Gambia Red Cross Society thanked Gambia government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Ambassador Yabou.
He said Covid-19 has challenged the world by testing our health capabilities, infrastructure and scientifically, adding that it has also brought challenges to human nature but also economically.
He noted that at Red Cross, they have clear pillars to deal with Covid-19, adding that these include health response, mitigating the effects of Covid-19 as well as dealing with the humanitarian consequences.
He assured that they will deliver on the project as well as ensure transparency.
