In response to an assessment conducted by The Gambia Bureau of Statistics in partnership with Gambia Tourism Board through the United National Development Programme’s support on the impact of the novel Coronavirus.

Through the assessment, they confirmed that at least 6427 individuals working in the informal sector of the tourism industry that are temporarily laid off due to Covid-19, will earn 50 dollars each from the United Nation Development Programme Covid-19 relief fund.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in The Gambia in March, the tourism sector proved to be the hardest hit as many lost their jobs and some employees laid off.  “Realizing the urgent need to provide assistance to the hard-hit tourism industry workers, it was agreed after protracted discussions that a one-off cash transfer of $50 will be made to all the identified beneficiaries who could be reached within the prescribed time and could come up with valid Africell mobile numbers,” the ministry said in a statement.

However, the ministry held the view that many of the tourism workers who could have benefited from the UNDP relief funds were left out. Discussion between UNDP and GBoS to address the issue proved unsuccessful.

A sum of D16,837,867.50 was dispatched by the UNDP directly to Africell’s account on 28 August 2020 together with the list of beneficiaries. “The cash transfer will commence within the next few days and the beneficiaries referred to above will receive the one-off payment of $50.This operation is a Gambia Government owned endeavour and the Government of The Gambia is extremely grateful to UNDP for providing this support through an MoU with Africell,” the ministry said.

The ministry emphasized that there is absolutely no condition attached as to how the funds should be used.
“It belongs to the beneficiaries and can be used to address any personal needs”.

By: Fatoumatta Samateh