Qatar Charity–The Gambia has committed D7.2 million to support income-generating activities and improve the livelihoods of underprivileged and vulnerable women and adolescent girls in The Gambia.

The support was formalised when Qatar Charity – The Gambia and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare signed an addendum to their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The project will provide support in kind to beneficiaries through a range of food security and economic empowerment activities designed to strengthen household livelihoods and create sustainable income opportunities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Ambassador Habib T. B. Jarra, said the addendum followed a series of engagements between the ministry and Qatar Charity aimed at improving access to support for vulnerable beneficiaries.

He said the D7.2 million project would directly benefit women and adolescent girls through interventions including dairy cow ownership, poultry and sheep farming, grain mills and other food security initiatives.

The economic empowerment component will include the provision of sewing machines, establishment of vegetable and fruit stalls, small grocery shops and three-wheeled motorcycles, among other forms of support.

Deputy Ambassador and Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar in The Gambia, Muhammed Ali Alnaemi, expressed appreciation for the continued partnership between the ministry and Qatar Charity.

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Fatou S. Kinteh thanked Qatar Charity and the Government of Qatar for their continued support to the ministry and Gambian people.

Kinteh also expressed hope that cooperation between The Gambia and Qatar could be expanded through a formal framework between their respective ministries responsible for gender and family affairs.

Qatar Charity Country Director Mahmoud Shaker said the organisation was proud of its partnership with The Gambia, describing the support as a “gift” rather than charity.

By Adama Makasuba