The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on Thursday 7 October 2021 handed over computers to nine (9) community radios across the country. The handing over was held at the NDMA premises.

Sana Dahaba, Executive Director NDMA expressed his profound gratitude to their partners UNESCO for their support in developing the project. The project theme is: “Using Drones and Early Warning Systems for Pre- and Post-Floods Disaster Management in The Gambia” founded by the government of India through India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

Mr. Dahaba said the role of community radios in disaster management cannot be overemphasized; because many people living in remote areas get information from community radios.

“In The Gambia, radios are the most accessible means of communication before, during and after disasters,” he said.He said community radios help to reach out to people who are socially isolated and living in remote areas to get information.

He stressed that the management of early warning systems, community radio stations are an essential player in the information and communication circuit.

NDMA boss further said community radio broadcasters do not only need to be trained but also equipped effectively to fulfill their mandates.

According to him, the project is part of the agency’s targets in the national development plan (NDP 2018-2021), which is to ensure that there is an “Availability of Early Warning & Early Action available Nationwide,” he said.

“Many people are currently living in areas prone to flooding, and there is limited access for the population to be informed on the early warning information.”

Mr Dahaba said the project will ensure the country is better informed in early warning information to enhance community preparedness to respond to endangerment especially climate related hazards.

Yusupha Bojang President Network of Community Radios The Gambia thanked NDMA, UNESCO and the Indian government for complementing the efforts of the community radios in educating the rural people most especially with regards to disaster risk reduction.

Mr Bojang said the materials donated will go a long way in helping community radios in the rural Gambia to better inform the community they serve.

He said the materials will help community radio broadcasters in doing their work effectively. He finally urged his colleagues to utilize the materials donated in the best possible way.

Michel Kenmoe, UNESCO Dakar Regional Adviser for Communication and Information said the donation is timely and it will help to ease the burden on community radio broadcasters.

Mr Kenmoe also said a lot needs to be done to support the population who are affected by disasters. “Gambia has been subject to recurring disasters over the years,” Michel Kenmoe, UNESCO Rep said.

He added that with the early warning system, the people can have access to disaster risk management information ahead of the time of the information related to possible forthcoming disaster they will be able to take appropriate decisions to preserve themselves against the consequences of that disaster.

The beneficiaries are Brikamaba Community radio, Soma, Bwiam, Gunjur Janneh Koto, Bansang, Farafenni among other community radios both received a set of computer and other materials.

By Dawda Baldeh