By Mustapha Jallow
Officials of the Brikama Area Council (BAC), on Thursday distributed six hundred and fifty 25kg bags of rice to internally displaced persons in Foni.
The humanitarian items were received by officials of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on behalf of the affected families, and the distribution ceremony was attended by BAC’s staff, NDMA officials, regional councillors, West Coast Governor and community elders.
“We find it necessary that we cannot sit and watch our people or family suffering. We believed that Gambia and Senegal are the same, even if we are not related but this is something that we need to do and it’s our obligation that the people within Casamance and even those who are internally displaced, are also our own people,” Sheriffo Sonko, BAC’s Chairperson said during his opening statement. Chairperson Sonko acknowledged the Government’s efforts in supporting displaced people through the BAC, saying his Council also contributes to what NDMA is doing for the settlers of Casamance and the people of Foni. He said this is a clearer manifestation for all Gambians to nurture the little peace that we have in our country.
Lamin Sanneh, West Coast Governor commended Government and other partners in their quick response towards the affected people. He viewed this as part of BAC’s responsibilities to come up as a Council and purchase food items for displaced settlers.
He explained that when the displaced persons arrived, they were hosted by community members of Foni and provided with food. According to him, the community however is also running low on food and this has become a concern not only to Government but to taxpayers as well.
Governor Sanneh further urged Gambians to continue nurturing the peace of the country, saying where there’s no peace there will be no development.
Sanna Dahaba, NDMA’s Executive Director thanked Brikama Area Council for the gesture which he described as a massive support to the victims and their hosts, and assured that the food items will go a long way in enhancing the resilience of the victims of the armed conflict.
