By: Mariama Njie
Banjul Relief initiative under the leadership of Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, Friday distributed food packages to 2,500 families within the Banjul city.
The initiative was launched in 30th March, 2020 in response to compliment the basic needs of the residence with food provisions.
Speaking at the presentation of the food packages held in Banjul City Council premises, the Mayor of Banjul Honorable Rohey Malick Lowe dwelt on the present situation facing the world which The Gambia is not an exception, as she described the situation as a trying time in the country. She noted that the outbreak of COVID 19 and impacts on people’s daily lives has affected everybody and it is not only economically but across all sectors of development.
“We wish to inform everyone that the Banjul relief initiative food aid is to compliment the efforts of the government and 50% of the households have already received their packages and this second face will be distributed to the remaining households that did not benefit from the government package. While the distribution commences today (last Friday),” she assured.
However, she expressed gratitude to the Banjul Relief initiative tax force for a job well done. She noted that through their involvement they have been able to lobby support from companies, institutions and philanthropists in other to make it a reality.
She went on commended the donors who contributed toward the success of the initiative, while made a further call to others to support the initiative. Development and wellbeing of the capital city of Banjul, she said, should be a concern for all.
Biram Modou Lamin Bah, Public Relation Officer of Banjul City council said the food packages for the Banjul relief initiative was secured from institutions, business people, philanthropists, social groups, ward development committees, civil society organizations and also kind individuals by the Banjul relief initiative tax.
He assured that the food support will help the residence of Banjul to adhere to the stay at home protocol as declared by the WHO in other to be able to suppress the pandemic.
Chairperson of the Banjul Relief Initiative, Naffie Barry explained that the initiative is to help the citizens of Banjul with irrespective of where they belong.
According to her they will give everybody that was not able to have what government has given out and if there are any excesses it will go to the needy in Banjul.
She said from the intervention of the stakeholders they were able to have two thousand five hundred packages which include bags of rice, sugar and cooking oil.
She therefore urged everybody to respect the social distancing during the distribution and give it to those that deserve it.
