Dr Isatou Touray, Vice President, on Thursday launched the government of The Gambia in collaboration with the World Bank Initiated the Nafa Quick Cash Transfer in response to the dire need for humanitarian assistance to poverty-stricken communities in the Gambia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project is implemented by government through National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), Department of Community Development and Department of Social Welfare.
According Dr. Touray, the household survey 2015/2016 data recognized as the highest ranking headcount poverty rate plus poverty gap rate will be use.
She revealed that with the prevailing COVID-19 situation, an additional ten other districts covered by the Social Registry under the Social Safety Net Project were added.
She pointed that Nafa Quick is providing universal cash transfer of D1, 500.00 per month for a period of four months covering the anticipated COVID-19 period.
“The transfer will be payable in two installments of D3, 000 in two months intervals. This payment arrangement is critical for not only mitigating the social and economic impact of COVID-19 but also helping the vulnerable households during the lean period when food and nutrition insecurity is high in the communities,” she said.
Dr. Touray also said, in view of the foregoing, the government of The Gambia is urging beneficiaries to make best use of the cash provided to them to diversify their diet in order to improve the health and nutritional status of their families as well as prevent the spread of COVID-19.
She commended World Bank for their support and partners for the successful implementation of the project.