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Momodou
Denmark
11735 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Sep 2007 : 01:10:43
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Toubab,
Here is some information from Foroyaa Issue No. 101/2007, 29 - 30 August 2007
Flood Victims Receive Aid
By Bakary Seedy Dampha
The National Disaster Management Committee convened a meeting of donors and other partners at the office of the vice President on Thursday 23 August 2007. The meeting was aimed at senstising them on the situation of disaster management and other incidents that occurred in the country as a result of heavy rainfall in the month of August 2007.
In her deliberation on Saturday 25 August at Serrekunda Fire Station Mrs. Fatou Jassey Kuyateh said they were pleased to note that the UN agencies in the country led by UNDP had immediately responded to her excellency's appeal and had agreed to provide initial assistance to the disaster affected victims in the Ebo Town and Jeshwang Wards. Mrs. Kuyateh noted that UNICEF has provided eight water tanks to the tune of 108,000 thousand dalasis. In addition, they had provided various assistance through the Department of Health and Fire Service. The UNDP, through the Disaster Management Project, provided 12 water tanks, salvage materials and D20, 000 worth of fuel (a total contribution of D200, 000). Those were all geared towards assisting victims of the recent floods. She added that it is a clear indication of the positive resolve of the UN agencies in The Gambia to assist The Gambia government in its development endeavors. It is also a clear manifestation of the importance of coordination in Disaster Management, without which there cannot be any effective disaster intervention.
However, she noted that responding to disaster may not be sustainable in the long term, and it is for this reason that government sought assistance from UNDP to develop a comprehensive and holistic disaster management framework focusing on prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery and development. Mrs. Kuyateh also highlighted that the National Disaster Management Committee is currently developing a comprehensive policy and legal framework on disaster management with the establishment of a national institution and local level structures to undertake; hazards assessment, early warning, community contingency planning etc. This, she said, will empower communities and provide them with necessary capacities in hazards identification and disaster response. She lamented that NDMC will embark on a nation wide tour of the Regional Disaster Management Committee with the support of UNDP in other to assess the work of committees and their state of preparedness on all disaster issues within their communities. She also appealed on behalf of Her Excellency the Vice President to other donors and private individuals to assist in whatever forum to mitigate the impact the disaster events in the country.
She finally thanked the UN agencies in The Gambia and the NGOs for their timely response. Other speakers included: Ebrima Sonko of Concern Universal and Dr. Almamy Camara, Programme Officer, UNDP. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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