Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Future in Our Hands The Gambia (FIOTHG), has received $603,616 from ECOWAS to implement the Post-2022 Flood Recovery Response Project.

This initiative, part of the broader ECOWAS Flood Food Nutrition Program, aims to support flood-affected communities across all eight local government areas in The Gambia: Banjul, Brikama, Mansakonko, Kerewan, Kuntaur, Janjanbureh, and Basse.

The project’s primary focus is on providing multipurpose cash assistance to households through cash transfers. Additionally, it will offer water and sanitation services while promoting hygienic practices to improve overall health conditions in the affected regions.

Speaking at the launch event, Sanna Dahaba, Executive Director of NDMA, recalled the severe flooding in 2022 that impacted 107,788 individuals, causing significant economic losses, damage to critical infrastructure, and loss of lives. He emphasized that the ECOWAS-funded project would deliver essential multipurpose cash assistance to 2,650 households, along with water, sanitation, and hygiene support.

Dahaba highlighted the importance of their collaborative efforts in disaster risk reduction to safeguard the dignity and well-being of affected households. He noted that the funds would significantly enhance the recovery process for the beneficiary families.

Ousman Ceesay, representing the Office of the Vice President, acknowledged The Gambia’s vulnerability to disasters that disrupt social structures. He stressed the need for collaboration to build resilience against such events. Ceesay assured that the government remains concerned about the recurring disasters and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure NDMA employs a holistic approach in implementing the project.

Claude Kondor, Political Adviser to the Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS to The Gambia, reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of vulnerable citizens, particularly flood victims. Kondor emphasized that the support provided to the 2022 flood-affected households offers a unique opportunity to enhance their understanding of effective project implementation. He assured that ECOWAS would continue to stand by its member states to provide necessary assistance in the wake of such disasters.

The Post-2022 Flood Recovery Response Project represents a vital step in addressing the immediate needs of flood-affected communities while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience against future disasters.