CRS disburses D22M to 1,450 vulnerable households in LRR 

The disbursement was made on June 25, 2026, during the official launch of the Promoting Resilience and Optimized Tools for Emergency and Community Transformation (PROTECT) project at the Governor’s Office in Mansakonko, LRR. The nine-month humanitarian and resilience-building initiative is designed to help vulnerable communities in The Gambia anticipate, withstand, respond to, and recover from floods and windstorms. Under PROTECT, families will receive D14,526 each via APS mobile money service to meet urgent needs with dignity. The project also includes the drilling of six boreholes in six identified communities within the region. The initiative aligns with national priorities on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable development. It builds on the National Disaster Risk Management Plan (NDRMP) and is supported through the CRS EMPOWER program. It also draws on lessons from the 2024 ECOWAS Sustainable Development Flood Response, which provided lifesaving assistance to more than 3,000 flood-affected households nationwide. By combining immediate humanitarian support with long-term resilience measures, the project aims to strengthen communities against seasonal hazards while advancing development goals. NDMA Executive Director Sanna Dahaba described the initiative as “a significant milestone” in efforts to strengthen disaster risk management and protect lives and livelihoods in line with NDMA’s strategy, policy, and the National Development Plan. He noted that vulnerable households have been hit hardest by floods, windstorms, droughts, and other hazards that disrupt livelihoods and strain limited resources. “This project reflects our shared commitment to reducing disaster risk, enhancing preparedness, strengthening community resilience, and promoting sustainable solutions that protect vulnerable populations from disasters and climate-related shocks,” Dahaba said. CRS Country Representative Dr. Amulai Touray said the nine-month response is grounded in CRS and NDMA’s shared commitment to saving lives, protecting dignity, and building resilience. “The project is fully aligned with the recently validated National Disaster Risk Management Plan, ensuring that our efforts support and reinforce national systems and priorities,” Dr. Touray stated. Beyond immediate cash support, he added, the project will strengthen community preparedness by enhancing early warning systems and supporting the development of community action plans to reduce risks and vulnerabilities. He warned that The Gambia continues to face increasing climate-related challenges. “Frequent and severe flooding is undermining livelihoods, weakening household resilience, and placing pressure on local response systems.” “These impacts are most severe for women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly,” Dr. Touray said. “While efforts have been made to establish community-level structures, key gaps remain in capacity, coordination, and early warning systems.”