The President Dr Alhagie Yahya Jammeh donated D10,000.00 to each of the bereaved families of the Kanifing Estate fire incident. Dr Jammeh also donated 5000 dalasis to each of those presently hospitalized at the RVTH and D20,000 to the two victims currently undergoing treatment in neighbouring Senegal.
The monies were presented by the Vice Present Dr Aja Isatou Njie Saidy who visited the families yesterday to offer condolences on behalf of President Jammeh. The President who is also the chairperson of the National Disaster Relief Committee was accompanied by Secretaries of State, Secretary General Office of the President, Service Chiefs, the President of the Islamic Council and the Chairman of the Christian Council.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President appealed to the bereaved families to take the incident in good faith. She commended the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Tamsir Mbowe, as well as the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital for their response to the incident. Mrs Njie Saidy hailed the Kanifing Estate community for their sense of unity and called on the Supreme Islamic and the Christian councils to offer prayers for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed as well as for the recovery of those undergoing treatment.

Also speaking on the occasion the Secretary of State for Religious Affairs Sheikh, Omar Faye, commended the people of Kanifing Estate for responding to the fire outbreak and called for unity among them. The imam of the Kanifing Estate Mosque, Baba Leigh, thanked President Jammeh fot the gesture.
The President of the Supreme Islamic Council Alhagie Banding Drammeh, and the Chairman of the Christian Council the Right Reverend Norman Griggs both commended President Jammeh for his timely intervention. They urged all imams and bishops throughout the country to offer prayers in their respective places of worship. As part of the programme, Vice President Njie Saidy visited those hospitalized at the RVTH.

Six out of the eighteen victims hospitalized for various burns, have passed away.

Meanwhile the President of the Republic, His Excellency Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, has declared Friday 10th November 2006 as a National Day of Mourning throughout the country following the tragic fire incident at the Kanifing East Estate on Monday 30 October 2006 which claimed the lives of six of the 18 young men.

All flags would be flown at half mast throughout the day.

Prayers will therefore be offered in all Mosques in memory of the departed souls and for the speedy recovery of the remaining victims already admitted at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital(RVTH). On Sunday 12th November 2006, prayers will also be offered in all churches throughout the country.