By Kebba AF Touray
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Qatar Charity Gambia Office have launched a sweeping $2 million (approximately D144 million) economic and development project aimed at boosting resilience and improving livelihoods across vulnerable communities in The Gambia.
The initiative, unveiled at a formal ceremony in Banjul, is being described as a landmark partnership between the Qatari humanitarian organization and the Gambian government. It targets key areas such as food security, health, education, economic empowerment, and disaster resilience, with the goal of uplifting needy populations and strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to crises.
“This project is a gift from the Qatari people to the brotherly Gambian people,” said Mustafa Es Satte, Country Director of the Qatar Charity Gambia Office. He emphasized the significance of the initiative, noting that it is “not just about the distribution of tools and equipment, but a step toward building a better future.”
Since opening its Gambia office in 2019, Qatar Charity has implemented a range of development programs in the country, including orphan sponsorships and support for vulnerable families. Mr. Es Satte reported that the charity’s overall expenditures in The Gambia have reached approximately $1.5 million as of 2024. Globally, Qatar Charity says it has delivered aid to over 29 million people in recent years, investing more than $1.2 billion across sectors such as health, sanitation, education, and economic development.
Founded in 1992, Qatar Charity operates as an international NGO under Qatari law and draws its mission from the values and cultural heritage of Qatari society. Its stated goal is to promote international solidarity and deliver effective development and humanitarian solutions to those in need.
Executive Director of the NDMA, Sanna Dahaba, hailed the launch as a “historic milestone” that underscores a long-standing and fruitful collaboration. “This partnership has been a cornerstone in humanitarian assistance for years,” Mr. Dahaba said. “Each year, Qatar Charity reaches out to NDMA, providing food and non-food items to alleviate the suffering of disaster-affected households across the country.”
With The Gambia increasingly vulnerable to climate-related events and human-induced disasters, Mr. Dahaba expressed confidence that the new project would empower at-risk communities.
“It will enhance their resilience and help build a more secure future,” he said.
Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow, also speaking at the launch, underscored the strategic importance of the collaboration. He noted that more than 70,000 Gambians were affected by disasters such as flash floods, windstorms, and disease outbreaks in the past year alone, according to NDMA data.
“The Qatar Charity-NDMA partnership represents an exemplary model of cooperation,” Mr. Jallow said. “It delivers immediate assistance while planning long-term support to improve the resilience of vulnerable populations throughout The Gambia.”
The project is expected to be rolled out nationwide, targeting regions most prone to environmental shocks and economic hardship, with an emphasis on sustainability and community-driven development.
