By Mani Kumba
Vice President Dr. Isatou Touray has disclosed on Wednesday that the country needs predictable increase in funding to develop sustainable food system that can resist progress hurdle like economic paralysis.
Dr Touray was speaking at a press conference held at the open of pavilion of McCarthy Square in Banjul that the food aid currently distributing to vulnerable Gambians to curb the food insecurity caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic is about D700 million.
However, she said government is determining to establish a proper coordinate approach to food security issues at all levels in order to sustain all food systems.
“The Gambia has witnessed a serious threat to nationhood as the COVID-19 keeps in with associated dangers of consuming the most active population and bring all economic activities to a standstill,” she said.
Dr. Touray also the chairperson of the disaster response committee noted that if the country current condition is not check, it could further deepen poverty as well as the food insecurity situation of the country.
Among the damages of coronavirus pandemic in the country, she noted, are unemployment and joblessness which could expose thousands Gambian families to hunger and poverty.
“At all times food and nutritional security are the foundations of decent live. A sound education is the means of achieving the national goals,” she said.
Dr. Touray noted that as long as Gambians have learnt lesson from the food aid brought to curb food insecurity caused by coronavirus now; there is need for the country to have means to feed it people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
“We must ensure safety for those who cannot afford food. And support small businesses in this critical time. We must transform our agricultural development process, markets.” he opined.
However, VP Touray commended the Barrow’s administration for his generosity to Gambians and non-Gambians alike, saying the food support distribution exercise across the country is either completed or about to reach completion stage.
The country’s COVID- 19 case increased to 25 cases; Therefore, she called on all and sundry to observe the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health advice in order to avoid further spread of the deadly disease.
