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Officials said the equipment, worth 1 million dalasis, included 370 life jackets, 913 pairs of gloves, 1,049 pairs of goggles, 840 shock absorbers and 18 canoes.
The devices were distributed to 18 communities including Kartong, Berending, Bulock, Sutisinjang, Karani, Gissay, Sandeng, Jataba, Tankular, Kemoto, Misira, Bumboto, Meme, Mbakam, Ginnack Ngi, Ginack Kajatta, Sami Tenda and Tambana.
Officials went on to say the support is intended to ensure the safety of female oyster gatherers and other users.
The presentation is also part of the Joint Goals five-year project “Integrated Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Building (ICCR)”.
The ICCR project is implemented by Self Help Africa (SHA) in The Gambia with funding from the Irish government.
The project targets 12,000 participants, including 9,250 women and 2,750 men, with an estimated budget of £1,498,645.
The ICCR project aims to enhance the adaptive capacity of vulnerable groups in coastal and riparian areas through livelihood diversification and integrated management approaches.
ICCR project partners include the Rural Development Trust, Njawara Agricultural Training Centre, Freedom from Hunger Movement, Gambia Women’s Initiative and Kartong Association for Responsible Tourism.
“The ICCR project aims to enhance and improve the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities in the country’s coastal and riparian areas,” said ICCR Project Manager Ngansa Touray at the award ceremony.
She said the project’s three main outcomes are: fair and inclusive management of marine protected areas to support livelihoods and healthy ecosystems; fair and inclusive food systems to support the supply and consumption of safe and nutritious food; and fair and inclusive businesses to contribute to a resilient green economy.
Touré added that these results will be achieved through “enhanced protection of coastal resources through restoration of mangroves that are vital to communities, improved food security and incomes for vulnerable groups through sustainable oyster harvesting and processing, as well as waste management and vegetable production.”
“Outcome area will also be achieved by supporting coastal communities to develop community adaptation plans, thereby increasing their understanding of climate change and their capacity to plan and respond,” she said.
She stressed that the main activities of the project are strengthening food systems and landscape management.
“These include conservation and management of natural resources; support from waste companies for environmental protection and improved livelihoods; and introduction of best practices in oyster collection – learning from Joal in Senegal.”
She further stated: “These also include establishing best practices in rack culture in oyster farming to produce healthy and nutritious oysters while addressing issues related to cleaning, promoting hygiene and environmental protection and enhancing nutrition.”
She called on the beneficiary communities to properly store the donated items to ensure their sustainability.
Modou Lamin Manneh, speaking on behalf of the cooperative, stressed the importance of strengthening oyster farming in The Gambia.
Manneh suggested that there is a need to introduce horticulture to oyster farmers, especially during the off-season; so that they can also engage in vegetable cultivation.
Wontonding Fadera, one of the beneficiaries of the latest initiative of the project, thanked United for its efforts in empowering women and providing them with preventive measures as they engage in economic activities.
“There is a need to empower women in horticultural agriculture as this will strengthen agriculture towards sustainable development,” she noted.
Mbemba Jabi, United Target’s country director, said: “This donation is a significant day in the organization’s history of providing protective equipment to oyster producers. These initiatives will not only greatly enhance their desire to increase production, but will also help prevent them from injuries and other physical harm or damage.”
He went on to say that protecting lives and livelihoods is of utmost importance to his organization, adding: “We are committed to ensuring that we strengthen our collaboration with our partners. In fact, over the years, we have been contributing greatly to the growth and development of our partner organizations. We have implemented many projects in the country and we will continue to move forward on this path.”
He further said: “It is good to produce oysters, but their final production is crucial. Therefore, we need to work hard to meet the supply of oysters for hotels, but also consider the possibility of exporting them to European countries.”
Meanwhile, some beneficiary communities in the Forney area have called for more support, especially in fencing their gardens.
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