This from The Observer,an accurate number of people affected,although it is not clear about how many people required help for their continued survival with food shelter etc,There will be Gambians who try to get money by making false claims,the administration is expecting such judging by what is said in the report " He warned about false compensation claims, stating that in terms of disaster, people tend to make dubious claims as in other countries. "Now, if the general public thinks that they can make false claims for compensation, the Disaster Management Act is clear on the penalties that are associated with making false claims," he said."
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/over-26000-people-affected-by-2010-floods
Over 26,000 people affected by 2010 floods
Africa » Gambia
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The executive director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has disclosed that as of 22nd September, 2010, the total number of people affected by recent floods in the country stood at 26,544.
Essa Khan made the disclosure during a press conference held Friday at the Office of the Vice President and minister of women's Affairs Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, who also doubles as the chairman of the National Disaster Governing Council. According to Khan, in Lower River Region (LRR) the number of affected people now stands at 3,815, which includes children, pregnant women as well as the physically challenged.
He continued: "For Western Region, the total number of people affected now stands 4,969. In the Kanifing Municipality, the total number of people affected has risen to 8,239, while in Banjul, the figure remains the same. In URR, the number of people affected stands at 2,706 and CRR a total of 1,596 people were recorded to be affected as a result of these floods. In the NBR, the total number of people recorded stands at 3,396. Therefore, the total number of people affected nationally as a result of these floods stands at 26,544 as of 22nd September 2010."
The NDMA boss thanked President Jammeh for all his support towards the plight of the disaster victims in the country. "The disaster management coordination is key and what we have done as an agency together with our partners is that we have established what we call the Rapid Emergency Coordination Group and this is very important in disaster management," he said.
He disclosed that they also involved the private sector as well as the NGO'S and particularly the United Nations agencies. He warned about false compensation claims, stating that in terms of disaster, people tend to make dubious claims as in other countries. "Now, if the general public thinks that they can make false claims for compensation, the Disaster Management Act is clear on the penalties that are associated with making false claims," he said.
Speaking earlier, the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy said the council deals with relief, humanitarian as well as infrastructural matters. She described disasters as very sensitive issues, saying when they happen, government is supposed to respond on time as well as give the political will, in order to alleviate the plight of the victims.
"I think for us, everybody is aware that the political will is there because when the disaster struck, within two days President Jammeh was on the ground and also provided the necessary humanitarian assistance as well as the necessary logistics support with regards to infrastructure, to ensure that he alleviates the plight of the victims. We all know where the disasters have occurred in this country," she said.
She explained that whenever disaster strikes, they first as a council focus on saving lives and property. "We didn't only do that but also went round to visit the affected areas and sympathise with the people. The Gambian leader also gave directives that government must provide something and to this end, the government provided D10 million on the spot towards ongoing humanitarian efforts and aid to the victims who were affected," she stated.
VP Njie Saidy disclosed that government briefed them as a council and they (the council) proposed to the Gambian leader that they have two sub-committees (one for humanitarian assistance and the other for infrastructure). "We also came up with project proposals and even incorporated both the two sub-committees that we sent to our development partners and we even went up to Dakar, as most of our partners are based in Senegal. We used the opportunity to brief them on the situation in The Gambia, so that we get quick response from their own end as well," she added.
She also informed the gathering that after the floods, the Gambian leader visited the affected areas and issued a directive, and so the Ministry of Local Government and Lands wrote to the Lands Office to look for possible relocation for the people affected. "Definitely there will be demolition because if you are occupying the waterway and it is affecting millions of people, it is easier to relocate a few people and alleviate the plight of the majority than allow a few people to block the way and other people are affected," she further explained.
Ousman Sonko, the minister of Interior and NGO Affairs also echoed similar sentiments. He said: "What we did as a member of the sub-committee was we dispatched a team of technicians comprising of personnel from the Ministry of Works, NRA, NEA, and Gamworks who went round to assess the situation. And today, as we speak, presently works are ongoing at Brikama Jambarr Sanneh, Kotu Stream, among others places. These ongoing works now is to clear the debris and blockages to allow the water to flow freely." He added that they also went to the provinces where they visited some affected sites as well as sympathised with affected families.
Edward Gomez, the Attorney General and minister of Justice told the gathering that in most cases people build without submitting proper planning for approval, pointing out that most of the structures that had caused or accentuated the problem are illegal.
"I think in the future, the Department of Physical Planning and Lands should be vigilant to make sure that illegal structures are erected. Even as I speak, there are some worth millions that have been built without approved plan and I think we should take serious measures to avert the continuous occurrence of having illegal structures being put in place," he advised.
Other speakers at the ceremony included Patrick Teixeira, the programme head, United Nations World Food Programme; Janice James, economic advisor, UNDP; Thomas Sukuwa, the World Health Organisation representative in The Gambia; Baba Gana Ahamadou, the FAO country representative; and Madi Jobarteh on behalf of the NGO community.
Author: by Sheriff Janko
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Posted - 28 Sep 2010 : 18:30:48
