Whilst COVID-19 prevents a large public commemoration, a ceremony will take place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Fajara. The CWGC cemetery provides a permanent commemoration, funded by the UK and Commonwealth countries, to all those who sacrificed so much in the name of peace.
For decades, the RCEL has been providing charitable support to thousands of WWII & pre-independence veterans and their widows in 48 Countries across the World, including in The Gambia. These funds, provided by the generosity of the British public, are for the relief of poverty and hardship and granted to eligible beneficiaries. Those who qualify for the grant are either veterans who served the British Crown prior to their country gaining independence or one surviving, eligible widow after the veteran has deceased and who are living in poverty. RCEL do not support dependents or other family members with grants. Since 2019, with additional funding from the UK Government, RCEL has been able to increase the size of the grants disbursed to eligible beneficiaries. These grants are for the relief of poverty and are not an acknowledgement of pension entitlement or any other allowance.
This increased support from 2019 was designed to provide veterans in the twilight of their years with a level of dignity that they might not otherwise have experienced. Delivery of this support in The Gambia has been coordinated through the Gambia Legion. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented particular challenges with the delivery of the cash payments and the RCEL are working hard to find ways to reach those veterans affected whilst ensuring that every care is taken to protect their health and safety and that of our caseworkers distributing the funds in-country.
In a statement by Christopher Warren, Secretary General of the RCEL, “we are proud of the support we have been able to provide to the veterans and eligible widows in The Gambia over many years …… We understand that a newly-constituted WWII Veterans Family Association has registered concerns over payments to certain individuals and the RCEL have reached out to them to find out the details so that we can take any necessary steps to reach eligible individuals.” Any claims by ineligible beneficiaries will be treated as fraudulent and legal proceedings may follow.
Read Other Articles In Headlines
People still move freely despite border closure
Jun 23, 2020, 12:58 PM
Despite the closure of all Gambian border entry points, people still move freely between The Gambia and Senegal.
Report on Access to Information Bill 2019 adopted with amendments
Jun 26, 2020, 12:09 PM
Deputies at the National Assembly on Thursday adopted the Select Committee on Education, Training and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) report on Access to Information Bill 2019 with amendments.
Inside Alpha Robinson’s NAWEC
Jun 16, 2020, 12:34 PM
Gambia’s water and electricity power-house, NAWEC has been on public test for its failure to provide stable water and electricity supply systems despite the numerous change of leadership.
GCCI president urges gov’t to waive all corporate, payroll taxes for 2 years
Jun 4, 2020, 11:11 AM
The president of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Edi Mass Jobe, has called on government of The Gambia to waive all corporate and payroll taxes for 2 years to encourage investment and improve standards in the stated areas: hospitals and health businesses, hotels and tourism businesses and agri-businesses.
Gambia receives agric machinery, equipment & fertiliser from China
Jun 8, 2020, 11:04 AM
The government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday 5 June 2020 received agricultural machinery, equipment and fertiliser from the government of the People’s Republic of China for onward delivery to the farming community.
Gambia makes progress in U.S. Fiscal Transparency Report
Jul 14, 2020, 11:07 AM
On June 15, 2020, the United States Department of State released the 2020 Fiscal Transparency Report, which assessed that The Gambia made significant progress in its continuing efforts at government fiscal reform.
President Xi Jinping: China to provide US$2b of international aid over 2 years
May 19, 2020, 12:46 PM
BEIJING – China will provide 2 billion US dollars over two years to help with COVID-19 response and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries, says Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday at the opening of the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly via video link.
Police launch operation Save our Souls
Aug 7, 2020, 1:03 PM
Following the declaration of a new state of public emergency and introduction of curfew by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of The Gambia, effective 6th August 2020 throughout The Gambia for a period of 21 days, The Gambia Police Force has launched an operation dubbed Save our Souls (SoS), a dispatch from the Office of The Inspector General of Police states.