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Gambia News : Heavy Flood Hits Upper Saloum District - As Over Forty Compounds Affected

The heavy flooding left over three hundred people displaced, most of whom, are women and children. The displaced people are currently accommodated in a mosque at Bantanto Kerr Isap which is the most affected village.

The villages affected include: Bantanto Kerr Isap, Bantanto Kerr Lime, Bantanto Kerr Alhagie Demba, Njau, Batio Nderr and Jahanka. The heavy down pour did not only destroy houses but claimed lives of small ruminants and chickens. The regional disaster management committee, on Tuesday August 11, embarked on an emergency assessment exercise of the area. The team, led by Chief Malick Mbye of Upper Saloum and ward councillor Channeh Ceesay went on a conducted tour of the affected areas.

The regional disaster management focal person Pa Musa Kijera, expressed sympathy to the affected families. He further appealed for urgent assistance for emergency shelter, food and clothing for the victims. For his part, Alhagie Ganyie Touray, Governor of Central River Region, said the disaster occured in the early hours of Monday morning. According to him, the heavy flood destroyed many compounds in over 15 villages in the Upper Saloum District. He described the disaster as a very serious one, adding that it affected many families and left them stranded.

Governor Touray called for urgent support to the victims of this terrible disaster. The victims, he said, needs urgent assistance and added that most of them are currently using the schools as shelter for their families, whilst others are accomodated by their family members who are not affected. Governor Touray revealed that some individuals have already extended helping hands to the disaster victims. He used the opportunity to appeal to the philanthropists, NGOs, parastatals, government agencies, etc to help these victims as soon as possible. He thanked those who started assisting the disaster victims and called on others to emulate them.

Hon Sainey Mbaye, National Assembly member for Upper Saloum, also described the disaster as an unfortunate incident. He said a lot of foodstuffs, properties and valuable items are lost. Currently, Hon Mbaye said, the victims are in urgent need of foodstuffs, clothing materials and mosquito nets, etc, adding that they are living in a deplorable condition. According to him, they have already sent letters of assistance to certain institutions and parastatals, but have not yet heard from them. He appealed for urgent assistance from the public, to support these victims.