City food bank: Relief initiative to distribute food in Banjul

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By SHERIFF SAIDYKHAN

The Banjul Relief Initiative, a food bank is set to embark on a massive food distribution campaign to residents of Banjul amidst COVID-19.

Banjul Relief Initiative came into being in light of the pandemic which has resulted in the state of public emergency declared by President Adama Barrow the Banjul City council under the directive of Mayoress Rohey Malick Lowe.

In her speech during the recent launch of the initiative the city’s first mayoress said they are responding to any possible food shortage in the event that the state of public emergency is extended.

“Under the WHO protocols, things are not the same again as people are now advised to stay home unless they are in need of their basic needs,” she noted.

She added that Banjul is a vulnerable City with over 3700 households and contingency plans to be in place is necessary as the month of Ramadan is fast approaching.

Modou Lamin B. Bah, public relations officer for Banjul City Council has said the food bank initiative established two months will distribute food items including bags of rice, sugar and cooking oil.

He said they aspire for the continuity of the project as a vibrant humanitarian support in the drive towards combatting hunger.

In an exclusive interview with The Monitor newspaper at Banjul City Council’s office, Bah stated that the initiative is part of efforts aimed at responding to the vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis.

He added: “The purpose of the initiative is to feed the people of Banjul. We understand that the government through the President has declared a state of public emergency which requires people to stay at home when the majority of them are living from hand to mouth,” the city council spokesperson.

He said they deemed it necessary to see how best they can help the most vulnerable living in the city, and even every household in Banjul.

He said they have set up a taskforce committee that will periodically distribute food items across the city of Banjul in the coming weeks.

He observed that the situation has compelled some people to begin staying at home.

He described the taskforce as a group that has taken responsibility upon themselves to make sure that they reach out to the general public as soon as possible’’ he noted.

Muhammed S. Bah, coordinator for Banjul Relief Initiative has applauded the group for their foresight in their drive towards supplementing for the most vulnerable people in society.

Sulayman Njie, resident of Lancaster Street in Banjul said the initiative is a worthy cause geared towards helping the less privileged people.

He underscored the significance of the initiative, adding that many people in The Gambia are living from hand to mouth due to dependence on meagre wages without any steady income for their livelihood.

“The intervention of Banjul City Council to form this important initiative is really laudable” he said.

Basiru Jaye, residents of Perseverance Street said most residents in Banjul depend entire on vending at the market to put bread on the table for their families which the impact of this initiate can alleviate.