By Saloum Sheriff Janko

The government of The Gambia and UNESCO have signed a project to use drones to limit the impact of natural disasters.

The agreement was signed on March 21st  2019, at the United Nations conference on South-South Cooperation in Buenos Aires, Argentina betweenthe Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr Mamadou Tangara and Ms Jean-yves Le Saux, Director, Bureau of Strategic Planning Unesco.

The project is a grant of $1,165,048.00 (one million, one hundred and sixty five thousand, forty eight cents US dollar) to be funded by the government of India through the India-UN fund. 

In his remarks, Dr. Tangara said: “The Gambia has been encountering a number of disaster management challenges which include managing floods especially river in flooding which has affected a population of 57,912 in the past four years. This has a significant impact on the country’s GDP, social infrastructure and ability to achieve the SDGS. The country continues to face capacity gaps in early warning systems to be better prepared in order to reduce the impacts of these hazards. 

“Therefore, as a country laying entirely within a river basin, the support of India and Unesco are key to ensure our scientific and technical preparedness to mitigate and avoid flood disaster.The initiatives using drones and early warning systems for pre- and post-floods disaster management in The Gambia shows the highly practical and impactful nature of South-South partnerships.

“I firmly believe that the project can make a real difference in addressing the capacity gaps, helping to save lives, build resilience and support the achievement of sustainable development goals in The Gambia. Both the republic of India and Unesco have been important partners of The Gambia over the years supporting a number of our important development projects and initiatives.

“Consequently, on behalf of the Government and People of The Gambia particularly, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), I would like to warmly thank and appreciate the Government of India and Unesco for their support. I also recognise and thank Ambassador Syed and his team at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.

“I assure you of the commitment of the Government of The Gambia in providing the enabling environment needed for the implementation of the project and it is our strong hope that all stakeholders would continue to work hard to ensure speedy and successful implementation of the project.”

The project was facilitated by the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations, New York on behalf of The Gambia National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and would be implemented by UDMA and Unesco within 2 years.

The ceremony was witnessed by Ebrima Ceesay, Secretary to Cabinet, Syed Akbaruddin, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of India to the United Nations, Lang Yabou, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of The Gambia to the United  Nations, Ambassador Abubacarr Jah, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director, for American Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Momodou Ceesay, Director General, Internal Audit, Jorge Chediek, Director UN office for South-South Cooperation and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for South-South Cooperation and Ms Lidia Brito, Director Unesco office in Montevideo, Uruguay.