By Saidou Baldeh
The Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh has launched the social protection response in Janjangbureh, Central River Region.
The UNICEF-funded program centers on the donation of food items and sanitary materials distributed in the Central River, North Bank and West Coast regions.
Addressing the gathering at the launching, Minister Kinteh said protecting the welfare of women, children and needy Gambians in the fight against Covid-19 is her ministry’s priority.
She urged Gambians to take the Covid-19 pandemic very seriously.
“The virus is existing in the country and it is real and a killer disease. I will urge all Gambians to follow the precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus,” she said.
Minister Kinteh reminded the gathering that it is strictly meant for women and children.
“Each of the identified households will be receiving one thousand dalasi for their daily fees in three months,” she explained.
The Governor of Central River Region,Sheriff Abba Sanyang welcomed the initiative and informed the gathering that the beneferies were selected based on a survey done by his office.
He thanked Minister Kinteh and UNICEF for the support to volunable households in his region.
Governor Sanyang assured the Minister that the donated items will be transported to the beneficiaries.
A beneficiary, Opper Barry of Laminkoto village, Niamina District expressed gratitude to the ministry of women’s affairs for the donation.
“The donation is vital and timely for women and children. The support could not have come at a better time especially for people like me who are staying alone – since I lost both my husband and my entire family, I have been fetching for my feeding single-handedly,” she said.
The chairperson, National Women’s Council, Isatou DA Sawaneh used the occasion to hail the Gambian leader for providing the Covid-19 food relief across the country.
