The US ambassador to the Gambia, Patricia Alsup has visited Jarra Jasong, Lower River Region, to view progress on a US$50,000 (D 2.3 million) US government grant to flood victims.
Shortly after this year’s torrential rain which left many families homeless and in desperate need of help, a rapid assessment team from the Gambian National Disaster Management Agency and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) discovered that hundreds of homes and farms had been destroyed, affecting 20,000 individuals.
In addition, multiple pit latrines and water points had over-flowed, prompting concerns about potential water-borne disease outbreaks. The project, implemented by CRS includes capacity building for communities so that they can effectively monitor, operate, and sustain the facilities provided with US government funding and CRS expertise.
CRS added US$25,000 from its private funding to USAID’s US$50,000 and has been working diligently over the past two months to restore potable water access and sanitation facilities to more than 3,600 households.
CRS will continue to partner with Lower River Region and Central River Region north communities to map wells and latrines that were affected by the flooding, and then work with the private sector to clean and restore those facilities.
The grant also funds distribution of water purifying tablets and educates families on how to use the tablets, so that families can access clean water even after the life of the project. After the wells and latrines have been restored, CRS will work with the Department of Water Resources to conduct ongoing testing to make sure the water quality remains safe to drink. The project will benefit approximately 30,000 people in the two regions.
Speaking to reporters, Ambassador Alsup said, “The US government’s partnership with CRS is illustrative of the type of work we do with partner countries, the private sector, and other relevant stakeholders to improve water and sanitation around the world. And we recognize that here in the “New” Gambia, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities are the foundation for building healthy communities throughout the country.”
The US Embassy/Catholic Relief Services,
Thanks for a work well done. However, I would advise, as you already know, to make a very close and stringent follow-up of the aids you give, to learn at first hand were the aid monies go to. Read through the books with close care and take into task all those UNFEARFUL GREEDY project/aid managers who only think about their pockets and families first.
Never trust their nice sayings as they are prone to do anything illicit to fill their TUMMIES!
May the Jarra people quickly overcome that aweful episode!
The U.S embassy and CRS deserve thanks indeed for their great assistance. However, the government must be aware of the fact it is their responsibility making safe running water available to all people of the Gambia. The waters on the Gambia’s water table must be tapped all over the country and made accessible to citizens for their household needs and agriculture. What the government needs is perforators, pipes, pumps and energy. Water purifying tablets are not a sustainable and safest way of providing sufficient water for entire communities. The area councils around the country need qualified and creative down to earth planners who can initiate and undertake ambitious projects in their areas with the help of government fundings. A progressive minded citizenry will undoubtedly facilitate make dream development aspirations come true. The must be those who dream of flush toilets, central sewage systems and running water supplies straight in the kitchens.
If $50,000 can provide such a great deal of assistance to 30000 people, how about $50m? This government needs to be held accountable for the tax revenues, loans, grants and aid they collect and receive respectively. They must not be left unchecked as that will enable them in embezzling and privatising state funds into private businesses. God forbid!