Flood Swept Gambia—Hundreds Rendered Homeless, One Man Killed

VP Njie Saidy Calls For An  International Aid Assistance

By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com 

Tel: 919-749-6319

A major flood swept The Gambia, in the early hours of Monday, destroying hundreds of homes, leaving a Sukuta man dead, the Freedom Newspaper can report.  The flood disaster, the first of its kind, had rendered a good number of Gambians homeless.  The Western region was the most hard hit by the disaster.

Journalist Alieu Darboe, a native of Brikama in an interview with Freedom Radio Monday said this is one of the worst disasters he ever witnessed in The Gambia. Mr. Darboe said his own house was swept by the flood.

“  I have never seen this kind of flood in my life time.  As I am speaking to you, families have been rendered homeless nationwide. There is a significant destruction to property and food stuff. One man lost his life in Sukuta due to the flood.  There is water everywhere in my own house in Brikama. We are working on clearing the water. Some residents have been relocated due to the flood,” Mr. Darboe said.

The Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy, including  members of the National Disaster Rescue Team, and some members of diplomatic community visited Brikama Monday to sympathize with the disaster victims.  The VP assured the victims about Government’s fullest support.

According to journalist Darboe, who worked with the Independent Daily News Newspaper, they were provided with rice, blanket, drinking cup, and mosquito nets by the Government.  Mr. Darboe said the Government’s response so far has been very positive.

“ The Vice President was here with an NGO called Concern Universal, Officials of the United States Embassy, and members of the National Disaster team. The Government has been very supportive to the disaster victims.  They provided us with food, shelter, and medication. I am very impressed with the Government’s response,” Mr. Darboe said.

It is estimated that over millions of dalasi worth of properties were swept away  by the flood.  Agricultural crops were also affected, Darboe said. Mr. Darboe told the Freedom Newspaper that flood victims are in dare need of food, shelter, and medication. He says the Government alone cannot handle the problem.

“ This is a national issue. The entire country is affected. Life stock, food crops, and public properties have been affected. We are in need of help from all and sundry.  The Government is doing its very best to help disaster victims,” Mr. Darboe said.  

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is yet to make an official statement on the disaster. His Vice president Isatou Njie is calling for an aid intervention to help the disaster victims. The Vice President assured the victims that help is on the way. 

Struggling to overcome an economic meltdown, the impoverished nation of The Gambia, has been devastated by a flood disaster. Flood victims say they are in need of housing, food, and medication.