On the third day of the ECOWAS Field Monitoring and Evaluation Mission in The Gambia, the delegation visited the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) to assess ongoing humanitarian efforts following the 2022 flood disaster. The delegation included representatives from ECOWAS, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). They engaged with local officials and community leaders to evaluate aid distribution and its impact.
The Deputy Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Binta Janneh Jallow, welcomed the delegation, emphasizing collaboration between local governments and international bodies like ECOWAS. She stated, “This support is crucial for our communities, particularly those severely affected by the floods. We are grateful for ECOWAS’s continued commitment to assisting our people and ensuring that the aid reaches those most in need.”
During the visit, detailed updates on cash transfer implementation were provided. Executive Director of NDMA, Mr. Sana Dahaba, outlined progress in disbursing funds to 2,650 households across the country, including 661 within KMC. Each household is receiving 3,000 Gambian Dalasis per month over three months (August to October), totaling 9,000 Dalasis per household. This support aims to alleviate immediate needs of those impacted by floods.
The selection criteria for beneficiaries focused on vulnerable groups such as female-headed households and families with members living with disabilities. The transparent distribution process was praised by the local community for avoiding conflicts and ensuring aid reaches those most in need.
Municipal Disaster Coordinator for KMC, Mr. Ngagne Jeng added, “The collaboration with ECOWAS and our local partners has been instrumental in addressing the needs of our residents. This visit reaffirms the importance of such partnerships in ensuring that our communities can recover and rebuild effectively.”
The ECOWAS delegation will continue its mission with further community visits to assess aid impact and gather additional insights for future strategies.
