By: Sandally Sawo
The National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA) in conjunction with the World Food Programme (WFP) on Saturday commenced the second phase of their Lean Season Response (LSR) food distribution at Fatoto in the Upper River Region(URR) of The Gambia.
The rationale behind the ad hoc food distribution was to release the remaining food stock kept at Fatoto Senior Secondary School before schools resumed today.
The distributed consumables include rice, cooking oil, beans, and salt.
The initiative is to help complement the three-month full ration planned for LSR beneficiaries, comprising disaster victims and selected vulnerable households across all the regions of The Gambia.
The cooperation and participation of all partners and key stakeholders, who were on the ground to coordinate and facilitate the distribution efforts, were applauded by the WFP.
The NDMA facilitated the timely mobilization of the beneficiaries on short notice. The agency alongside the WFP Field Office supervised the distribution. The Planning Unit of the Agriculture Ministry and NaNa were also on the ground to conduct SBCC and process monitoring.
Beneficiaries meanwhile received their rations in an orderly manner on a first come, first served basis.
Priority was, however, given to those with conditions such as physical disability, pregnancy, and old age.