Day two of the ECOWAS Field Monitoring and Evaluation Mission in The Gambia involved visits to flood-affected communities, including Nyofelleh, Fass Omar Saho, and Munyagen. This mission aims to assess the effectiveness of humanitarian aid provided following the 2022 flood disaster and food crises.
During the visit, the delegation engaged with local beneficiaries who expressed their appreciation for ECOWAS's assistance. This support has been crucial in addressing essential needs such as securing food items and repairing homes damaged by floods. Beneficiaries emphasized that this aid has significantly helped stabilize their living conditions post-disaster.
A resident of Fass Omar Saho articulated the community’s sentiments: “We are profoundly grateful for the support from ECOWAS. It has enabled us to rebuild our homes and ensure food security for our families. However, there are many others in our community who remain in need, and we hope that this support can be expanded to assist them as well.”
Similarly, a beneficiary in Munyagen noted, “The financial support, while modest, has had a meaningful impact on our lives. It allowed us to purchase food and undertake essential repairs to our homes, which were severely affected by the floods. We hope that ECOWAS will continue and broaden this assistance so that more people can benefit.”
The delegation observed that the aid delivery process was particularly appreciated due to its transparency and efficiency, minimizing conflicts and ensuring prioritization of the most vulnerable. Residents expressed a strong desire for ECOWAS to maintain its commitment to supporting member states like The Gambia as they recover from these challenges.
This field visit highlighted both positive outcomes of ECOWAS's humanitarian efforts and ongoing challenges within these communities. Feedback gathered will help shape future ECOWAS humanitarian strategies, ensuring sustained relief efforts address additional vulnerable populations' needs.
The mission will proceed with a scheduled visit to another community for further assessments to gather additional insights and evaluate continuing aid impacts.
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