GTBank Gambia on Friday July 28th handed over 50 bags of rice and 50 packets of corrugated iron sheets to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) for onward distribution to recent rain storm disaster victims. The donation was in response to a plea by the NDMA for support to provide relief to over 50 families in Lower River Region of The Gambia who lost their houses and food stock following heavy rains and winds. Relief agencies estimate that over 4000 people have been severely affected by rain storms in July and at least 1000 have been displaced.
The Managing Director of the Bank Mr. Bolaji Ayodele explained that when NDMA approached the Bank to provide such invaluable support to flood and storm victims, it was not difficult for his management to accede to the request because they had seen the damage and suffering it caused on news outlets. He hoped that the “modest donation would go a long way in improving their conditions and that they will sooner than later return to the beautiful lives they lived before the disaster.”
The National Forecast office predicts erratic rain falls this season with consequential flash floods and wind storms that could destroy homes and displace families. The National Disaster Management Agency has urged people to take appropriate measures to avert severe damages.
The Executive Director of NDMA Colonel Alagie Sanneh has called on other private sector businesses to emulate GTBank, noting that managing disaster and providing relief services to disaster victims cannot be single handedly done by any government anywhere in the world.
