The rural communities who benefited from the ‘nafa quick’ cash disbursement have commended the World Bank and the Gambia government for the timely assistance.
The disbursement activity is currently ongoing with a total of $10 million to be shared amongst 83, 000 Gambian households who are poor and vulnerable. The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) is implementing the distribution which is meant to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic that curtailed living conditions and the economy.
According to NaNA, each household will be accorded a relief package of D3000 to support their livelihoods.
“This is a very commendable gesture that comes at the right time. We are so happy because we have never received such cash payment from the previous administrations before. We are really grateful,” said Mamanding Jankey Sanneh of Jarra Darsilami.
She assured to use the money to support her farming activities as well as for the upkeep of her family. She said many rural dwellers are currently going through rough times but with this intervention many families will not go hungry.
A 63-year-old Samba Jallow is the breadwinner for his family in Felengkono village in Jarra East. He received the cash disbursement of D3000. He said the money will be used to support his family during the pandemic.
“I want to commend the officials of the National Nutrition Agency for their untiring efforts in securing this support for us (farmers). Many of us are going through tough times but with this cash we will be fine,” Jallow tells The Chronicle.
He also commended the World Bank and Gambia government for coming to the doorsteps of the poor and vulnerable, revealing that most of them rely on petty trading during Lumos (weekly markets) which has been halted since the outbreak of the virus in the country.
“We have been going through a very difficult time especially with the closure of Lumos. The Lumos are what we relied on to survive through petty businesses. We’ve been seriously affected since it was closed.
Another beneficiary, Jibeh Baldeh, a native of Sitahuma in Jarra Central. “I cannot express my happiness in words that this money will have for me and my family. My husband is too old to work now and with this money we can manage it to take care of our feeding and other needs.”
The NaNA program manager, Malang N. Fofana, urged beneficiaries to make best use of the money. “It is meant to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. I want to appeal to them to use this money wisely to safeguard their lives and livelihoods of their families.”