By Arret Jatta
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) with relevant stakeholders, on Tuesday, 29th October 2024 held a daylong workshop to validate the disaster contingency plan. The validation meeting was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center, Bijilo.
The project funded by West Africa Coastal Area Resilience Investment Project phase 2 known as the WACA project under the Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Natural Resources engaged a consultant to create comprehensive disaster contingency plans for seven wards in the KanifingMunicipality and two wards in the West Coast Region.
Mr Sanna Dahaba, the Executive Director of NDMA noted that the disaster contingency plan plays a pivotal role in their quest to foster resilient communities capable of withstanding and recovering from crises.
“Recognizing this importance, the government of The Gambia is firmly committed to implementing strategies that align with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030,” he explained.
He explained that the Sendai framework emphasizes proactive measures to minimize risks, enhance preparedness, and ensure effective response mechanisms in the face of disasters.
“Through comprehensive planning, community engagement, and collaboration with various stakeholders, The Gambia aims to strengthen its capacity to mitigate the impacts of disasters, ultimately safeguarding the well-being of its citizens and promoting sustainable development,” he added.
Abdoulie Sey, Communication Specialist of the WACA Project, disclosed that a few months ago, the National Disaster Management Agency and the WACA Project brought together community members to develop ward contingency plans for the nine wards in the WACA Project intervention area.
“These plans were developed by the community members themselves. This is something that the consultant can attest to, he’s been the technical guide, but basically the input came from the community members themselves,” he said.
The wards that will benefit from this project are Kotu and Manjai, Latrikunda Yiringanya and Latrikunda Erinyang, Dippa Kunda, London Corner, Bundung Borehole, Bakoteh, Latrikunda Sabiji, Sukuta and Nema Kunku. Councilors from these wards were all present at the validation workshop.