The European Union has provided Euros 1,353,120 to fund a long term technical assistance team working in support of the National Environment Agency and Department of Water Resources in mitigating the consequences of climate change in The Gambia.
In a statement made available on Wednesday, the EU said that the contract will last for 36 months and provide capacity building and support to a range of climate mitigation and adaptation activities already underway as part of its Euro 5.3 million Global Climate Change Alliance GCCA+ Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone project.
According to the statement, climate change is a contributing factor towards declines in agriculture and rural livelihoods in Gambia and the country’s coast and marine environment is fragile.
These vulnerabilities increase the fragility of the most disadvantaged populations, over-exposing them to consequences of the COVID19 pandemic.
The statement pointed out that in developed countries, the COVID-19 health crisis precedes the economic crisis, for many developing countries, such as The Gambia, the order is reversed, revealing that some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa already face a massive flight of capital, a fall in income from tourism and agriculture, and a fall in remittances due to COVID-19.
”There will be an after-Covid-19 in The Gambia as anywhere else in the world, and we need to get ready for it. Right now, the beautiful green nature of The Gambia is one of its main assets. It is in The Gambia’s interest that it not be spoiled, and that it be preserved from climate change.
“There is only one future, and that is a sustainable and green future. Let’s go for a Green Gambia! ” said EU Ambassador to The Gambia, Attila Lajos.