Grcs Launches a1.5m Project in URR

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Alieu Ceesay

13 April 2011

Urr — The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in partnership with the Spanish Red Cross through the financial support of the Spanish government Tuesday launched a four-year Euro 1.5 million project dubbed “General Convention for The Gambia”. The launch took place at the Basse Area Council chambers.

The project will be targeting 10 communities within URR as identified in 2009 and will focus on water and sanitation, health and hygiene promotion, food security and income generating activities. It is expected that by the end of the project, there would be big changes in the lives of the people in the beneficiary communities.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Michael Secka, chairperson of the URR Red Cross branch described the project as timely, apt, laudable, and a milestone in the annals of the URR Red Cross. He added that looking at the focus of the project, there is clear indication that it is going by the definition of development.

For his part, Baba Singhateh, president of the GRCS explained that the project will be implemented by the two Red Cross societies of The Gambia and Spain together with local partners. He further explained that the project has an overall objective of improving the socio-economic condition of the selected vulnerable communities in the URR. Singhateh also informed the gathering that the GRCS is a voluntary human relief organisation, which is auxiliary to the public authority in the humanitarian field and particularly the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. He added that they are members of the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement and will continue to act on the fundamental principles of the movement.

The GRCS prezy stated that among their principal objectives is to prevent and alleviate human suffering where ever it may be found. He acknowledged that they enjoy a good working relationship with the government of The Gambia, which has enhanced their humanitarian work in the country. He thanked the donors for funding the project and the Gambian government for creating the enabling environment for the Red Cross to carry out its activities.

For his part, Mamudou Bah, secretary general of GRCS said the project is important to both the beneficiary communities and the country in general. He stressed that the project will build a strong resilience to disaster, as well as compliment the efforts of government in addressing disaster as the population continues to grow. He averred that the project in URR is not a mere coincidence, pointing out that URR and CRR happen to be the poorest and most vulnerable regions in the country, going by reports of The Gambia Food Security Profile of 2008. “Disaster-risk is a global concern and its impact on one region can affect another region,” he said. He then expressed hope that the collaboration between the two societies will yield more benefits to the communities.

Massimo Salvadori, a delegate from the Spanish Red Cross said there has been cordial relationship between the two Red Cross societies. He further stated that by the end of the project, beneficiary communities will be able to take part in the local development processes of their own communities. He added that communities will have access to sufficient water and sanitation facilities, as well as increased horticultural production and income acquisition, among others. Salvadori finally assured of their continued collaboration with the GRCS.

For his part, Baba Jeng, director of the Regional Health Team in URR welcomed the project, describing it as a compliment to government’s effort in preventing disasters and also improving the living condition of the people. He said government’s objective among other things, is to see every Gambian healthy, but quickly made it clear that it needs collaboration. He assured of his office’s support at all time.

Officially launching the project on behalf of the governor of URR, the deputy governor, Momodou S. Jallow, underscored the importance of the project, saying it is timely and relevant. He emphasised the need for more collaboration between the GRCS and its implementing partners for better, effective, and efficient implementation of the general convention.

The URR deputy governor also assured them that his office doors are open for them at all times for any necessary support to the GRCS. He then thanked the Spanish government for funding the project and urged the beneficiary communities to make best use of it.

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