By Olimatou Coker
As part of its humanitarian works in the country, The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in collaboration with Action Against Hunger (AAH) with funding from the European Union and the Thani Bin Abbdullah Al Thani Humanitarian Fund through the “Konkobayo” project last Monday handed over a borehole project worth over 1.6 million dalasis to the community of Jagula in Upper River Region.
Konkobayo project is a nutrition sensitive project being implemented in 40 communities in URR and CRR – 24 in URR and 16 CRR North. The EU funded 75 percent of the project while Al Thani funded 25 percent.
Speaking at Jagula, Foday Bah, the village alkalo said their crisis is now a thing of the past.
He thanked the donors for providing them with clean and safe drinking water.
Momodou E Jallow, the program manager AAH, said the borehole project is part of a bigger project they have been implementing for the past three years.
A Village Development Committee chairman of Jagula, Mr Sowe, said since the establishment of the project in Jagula village, so much has changed positively.
The Executive Director of Wuli and Sandu Development Association (Wasda), Kebba Sillah, said: “The community water project is part of a nutrition sensitive food security initiative for The Gambia”.
He said the objective is to improve the food and nutrition security of vulnerable communities, households and individuals in targeted districts of the Upper River Region (Basse) and in Central River Region.
“The main areas of interventions are increasing the availability and access to quality food through backyard or kitchen garden, community and school garden, productive water, promotion of high nutrient field crops and livestock food safety nets, improving nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive practice like community based IYCF, cooking demonstrations, hygiene, sanitation, and access to water,”
He said the project will also look to promote food security and nutrition.
Ebrima Cole, Contractor and Managing Director of Swe-Gam Company, said the borehole will reduce the burden on women and ensure girls have enough time to prepare for school. He urged the men to regularly clean the solar panels.
Alsana Senghore, secretary general of GRCS, said: “Use the borehole effectively and efficiently. We can come together to work on our comparative advantage to develop the country. We will continue lobbying for funds to do more for this country.”
Foday Danjo, chairman of Basse Area Council, called on the community to establish a water committee that will be responsible for the maintenance of the borehole.
