The Ministry of Environment, Climatic Change and Natural Resources and World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a five-year Rural Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Project at a cost of 10 million dollar.

The grant donated by the Adaptation Fund, and implementation will start March 2022 to February 2027. 

It will be implemented by WFP and Ministry of Environment Climatic Change and Natural Resources which is focusing mainly on adaptation, climate risk management, and market access, targeting Central River and Upper River regions of the country.

The project seeks to enhance adaptive capacity of rural populations in The Gambia through support to climate-resilient and diversified livelihoods. 

 The aim is to develop knowledge and awareness to underpin evidence-based resilience building and adaptation activities, particularly for women and youths among other things.

Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Environment on Kairaba Avenue, WFP Country Director, Yasuhiro Tsumura, said the project will help to strengthen resilience of the communities and households in improving infrastructures against climate shocks and increasing the productive capacities despite these shocks.

“The project will also support the mechanism to transfer climate related risks through weather insurance and it will also develop a knowledge management system and strengthen the evidence base to clearly show the impacts of resilience building and climate adaptation support,” he said.

Momodou Mbye Jabang, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment Climatic Change and Natural Resources, said the project will target small holders’ farmers and other vulnerable rural groups who are already at risk from climate variability and change, with an emphasis on women and youths.

“The project will start around the March 2022 and end at February 2027 and it is expected to increase adaptive capacity and resilience of targeted communities through concrete adaptation and diversified livelihoods,” he said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba