March 12, 2024 | Nattasha

Inside Gambia’s Food and Water Crisis

Freedom = to seek an education in a subject I enjoy • Freedom = making plans and following a dream • Freedom = pouring a cold glass of clean water for myself Freedom = to seek an education in a subject I enjoy • Freedom = making plans and following a dream • Freedom = pouring a cold glass of clean water for myself Freedom = to seek an education in a subject I enjoy • Freedom = making plans and following a dream • Freedom = pouring a cold glass of clean water for myself Freedom = to seek an education in a subject I enjoy • Freedom = making plans and following a dream • Freedom = pouring a cold glass of clean water for myself Freedom = to seek an education in a subject I enjoy • Freedom = making plans and following a dream • Freedom = pouring a cold glass of clean water for myself Freedom = to seek an education in a subject I enjoy • Freedom = making plans and following a dream • Freedom = pouring a cold glass of clean water for myself

When Gambia’s opposition leader Adama Barrow ousted the country’s autocratic president in 2016, many of the people believed the country would finally be able to usher in a new era after many long years of dictatorship. 

Sadly however since then, many Gambians have become disillusioned by their new leader’s seeming inability to tackle the country’s economic and social challenges as the population continues to struggle with food shortages and access to basic amenities.

Aggravating Factors

Extreme poverty continues to decimate communities across the country. Gambia’s gross domestic product per capita, at $772 in 2021, is among the world’s lowest. The Covid pandemic further crippled the economy, taking the percentage of the population living in poverty to more than 53 percent last year. In addition to this the Russian invasion of Ukraine then sent food and energy costs soaring.

The farming communities have been the worst hit, despite the fact that agriculture employs 46% of the population – with this figure as high as 80% in the more rural areas of the country. Climate-related crises have dramatically affected the availability and price of food and as a result more and more families have been pushed into hunger.

Agricultural growth has only met half of the national target, and the sector is stuck in a vicious cycle of low investment and low output. The most vulnerable of the population are at constant risk of being unable to purchase sufficient food and there are extreme inequalities in access to clean water. 

President Barrow recently stated: “As a vigorous growing region, Africa certainly presents unique opportunities for closer cooperation with the world, but we must build enough capacity to sustainably finance and drive our development,” 

He also added that the “wise management” of Africa’s natural resource base, biodiversity, and ecosystem services is essential.

How FDF Helps:

Leading teams of volunteers on the ground, FDF has been working tirelessly to reset the balance. Fighting food poverty through the empowerment and sustainability of the people worst affected by hunger and lack of access to clean water. 

Going With The Grain:

Provision of funds for local farmers to work and operate bread mills as part of their humble farming operations, allows them to cultivate and farm their own wheat. This is then milled and used to provide food for local families with surplus being able to be sold at local markets. 

The grain milling sector has always played a vital role in stabilising food security and is firmly on FDF’s radar as an excellent means of creating sustainable food provision for those households desperately in need of both food and jobs.

Ripples Of Impact:

Another FDF project is the provision of boreholes to give locals worry-free access to clean water. For many this is a first time experience. In fishing towns this means there is also clean water with which to wash the day’s catch. 

More often than not the local population rely on wells but unfortunately these often run dry or cave in after a short period of time and new ones have to be dug. Border communities often lag behind the most with regards to water infrastructure

With access to a borehole and clean water, communities can drink safely and also go on to grow pepper, tomato, corn and other vegetables far more regularly. Overall food provision becomes easier and safer. Just one, single borehole is an absolute lifeline to many.

Conclusion:

Our committed volunteer teams both in the UK and on the ground in Gambia work hard to ensure funds raised are put to best use. Our local projects have transformed lives for some of the most vulnerable and needy.