At a time when the spread of the coronavirus infection takes a worrying momentum in The Gambia, “Team Europe” is taking another solid and concrete move to support the country’s response to the pandemic.
The EU Delegation to The Gambia on Monday announced the approval of a EUR 2.500.000 COVID-19 emergency response project, which is implemented by a consortium of the Spanish Red Cross, The Gambia Red Cross Society and the Medical Research Council – The Gambia.
“In this time of crisis we all must play our part and take up responsibility, and so does the European Union”, said EU Ambassador to The Gambia, Mr. Attila Lajos.
“This 18 month-long action will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the other actors of the overall response to the COVID-19 crisis in The Gambia.
“It will encompass sensitisation and community outreach activities, provisions for the strengthening of the national testing capacities and laboratories in general, and purchases of a number of much needed sanitary supplies: personal protective equipment; reagents for testing; oxygen delivery kit; drugs for general treatment/COVID-19 vaccine; lab equipment-Hood, PCR machine; sprayers for disinfection activities; hygiene and sanitation kits; materials for installation of hand washing facilities, etc,” he disclosed.
Eventually, Mr Lajos said the project is aimed at mitigating the socioeconomic consequences of the crisis by providing safety nets to selected vulnerable households.
“The overall focus will be on people living in most vulnerable situations affected by the COVID-19 crisis, particularly women, people living in poverty, and specific marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions,” he added.