UNICEF launches social protection response to Covid19 as 1000 families to benefit across the country

UNICEF The Gambia has launched the “social protection response to COVID19” where up to 1000 families in NBR, CRR & WCR will receive rice, cooking oil and D1000 monthly allowance for the next 3 months.

UNICEF Gambia joins the Ministry of Women, Children & Social Welfare in NBR to distribute relief items

The program which is set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare aims to supporting the most vulnerable children and families during the covid-19 pandemic.

In Kerewan, NBR, UNICEF Gambia joined the Ministry of Women, Children & Social Welfare, and regional authorities to distribute the relief aid to vulnerable families in the region.

Sandra Lattouf, UNICEF Gambia Representative said of the program: 

"At UNICEF, we're working with different ministries to support children during this difficult time. UNICEF and the government can provide support to families but it's up to parents to make sure their children are safe from COVID19" 

Fatou Kinteh, Hon. Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare and UNICEF Rep. Sandra Lattouf

Fatou Kinteh, Hon. Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare pointed out:

"COVID-19 restrictions have affected the source of livelihood for some vulnerable families. That is why UNICEF and my ministry are supporting some of these families with rice, cooking oil and cash".

The Gambia with an estimated population of 2 million has recorded and confirmed 28 positive cases of coronavirus in the country

as of Monday, 8th June 2020.

The Ministry of Health revealed on Monday 8th June at their Daily Covid-19 update that a 20-year-old Gambian male who recently returned to the country after being in Guinea Bissau is one of the two new cases confirmed in the country. He was taken into quarantine on the 5th June after being reported to the COVID-19 response team through the 1025 toll-free hotline. His sample was the collected on June 6th and a positive test result received on June 7th.

Furthermore, a 38-year-old Gambian male who also recently returned to the country from Dakar, Senegal was taken into quarantine on the 5th of June after being reported to the COVID-19 response team through the 1025 toll-free hotline.The man’s sample was collected on the 6th of June and a positive test result was received on the 7th June.

Gamnia has recently relaxed the strict restriction on the state of emergency that was declared to stem the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the country.