Dr Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy, the Vice-President and Secretary of State for Women Affairs, yesterday presented cheques to Mayors and Governors, of all the regions for disaster victims.

VP Njie-Saidy made this presentation at State House, Banjul. She said the presentation of the cheques and second hand clothes will help to boost-up the morals of disaster victims. She added that “this type of occasion is not the first of its kind and the Disaster Relief Committee will continue to help victims of disaster”.

VP Njie-Saidy pointed out that the Disaster Relief Committee, was set up by President Yahya Jammeh, throughout the length and breadth of this country.   She said since the committee was established, they had been embarking on a series of assistance to the victims, through the funds generated by the committee.   She said “we need to capacitise the people to prepare them against disaster.   We need to build capacity where they are most needed. This will help disaster victims. We are calling on the NGO’s, the private sector and philanthropists to come forward and give more contributions. We thank the UNDP for their generosity and timely donation.”

She called on the people to make the best use of the funds, noting that there is need for stakeholders partnership with the government.

Ismaila Sambou, Secretary of State for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, said disaster is a natural phenomenon which is difficult to control.   SoS Sambou acknowledged that Disaster Relief Committee has worked relentlessly to generate funds for victims of flood and other disasters, and then thanked them for a job well -done.

Governor Abdou FM Badjie, of Western Region, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the government for establishing National Disaster Committee.

He assured VP Njie-Saidy that the cheques and donated items, will reach the victims as expected of them.

The beneficieries include: Western Region- D45,000, 3 boxes & 3 bags of second hands clothes, Lower River Region- D25,000, 3 boxes & 3 bags of second hands clothes, North Bank Region-   D60,000, 3 boxes & 3 bags of second hands clothes, Central River Region-   D60,000,   3 boxes & 3 bags of second hands clothes, Upper River Region-   D60,000, 3 boxes & 3 bags of second hands clothes, Kanifing Municipal Council-   D35,000 and Banjul City   Council-   D15,000.

In another development, Trust Bank, Gambia Limited, also presented a cheque for D70,000 to VP Njie-Saidy, on behalf of the Disaster Relief Committee.

In presenting the cheque, Remmy Joiner, General Manager of the Bank said “it is indeed an honour for us to be in this honourable office once again to make another presentation, on behalf of Trust Bank Ltd.   On this occasion, we are here to share our sentiments with the facilities affected by this year’s flood victims, whose living conditions have been greatly affected.

As we have once been described as ‘the bank with a human heart,’ we are here to showcase this and also fulfil part of our corporate social responsibilities in this very time of need”.

“I would also like to seize this opportunity to extend to your Excellency of our devout commitment to the nation’s socio-economic development.   In this regard, we would like to inform you that Trust Bank Ltd, has this month turned 10 years,” he added.

He said “on behalf of our Managing Director, staff and my colleagues here present, I present to the National Disaster Management Committee, through you a cheque for D70,000 towards this worthy cause”.

In receiving the cheque, Madam Njie Saidy, thanked the bank for their kind gesture.   “We all know that Trust Bank is contributing to the socio-economic development of this country. We have seen a lot of positive developments you embarked on since your inception, by contributing to education, health, among others.   You respond whenever you are called and you are a bank with difference,” she said.

Dr Ajaratou Njie-Saidy, pointed out that Trust Bank has fulfiled its social responsibilities and should continue to invest in people. “Any wise person”, she said, should invest in people.   “You may think that this D70,000 is small, but this will go a long way towards helping the needy.   Disaster is a perennial problem. The world is changing and disasters are continuing to strive.   We should learn how to prevent disasters or minimise it,” she revealed, adding that the government will continue to provide a conducive environment for businesses at all times.