The alarming food vulnerability survey indicated that about 15% of households are mildly food insecure, 26% moderately food insecure and 13% severely food insecure.

However, it is against this background that the European Union (EU) and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed a contribution agreement to feed the country’s malnourished population.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Abdou Colley, said the signing of the contribution agreement of 2.64 million Euros between the World Food Programme and the European Union is to foster the dream of food security in the Gambia, adding that the relationship between the Gambia and the EU being almost three decades is a mutual rewarding partnership.

He also said that the recent financial crisis has exacerbated the problems associated with food security, decline in government revenue and reduction Economic activity. “The ability for Gambians to meet their food requirements is therefore very dependent on their income levels,’ said Colley.

He finally revealed that the project will start immediately, and in line with the recommendations of the mission as well as the Gambia Government Priorities to mitigate the impact of high food prices, which will address the following areas:

Extend the coverage of the food safety net mechanisms through safety net intervention, improve the targeting and response mechanisms for assisting vulnerable populations most affected by the food and financial crisis, and finally to help protect vulnerable households from declining purchasing capacities and food price shocks.
He finally stated that the project will also indirectly encourage school enrolment and improve retention and performance of children in class.

The EU Charged Affaires in Banjul, Mme Helene Cave, said the 2.64 million Euros (around 100 million dalasis) is part of the so-called B-Envelope, intended to cover unforeseen needs and the Envelope he said to cover macroeconomic support, sectoral policies in the field of infrastructure and governance for the Gambia amounting to 76 million Euro, (around 3 Billion dalasis).

She said the B-Envelope amounts to 4.54 million Euros She indicated that the recent food crisis is an unforeseen event, and the EU therefore decided to assist those countries that are very badly affected to fight this crisis and to mitigate its adverse effects.

She said this project that will be financed by the EU is fully in line with the main priorities identified by the government, and the project will be implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) which has worldwide expertise.

“In line with Paris Declaration to improve donor coordination and harmonization of aid delivery, the EU considered that by far WFP is the best agency to implement this project and therefore, we will sign together a contribution agreement, under the auspices of the GOTG who has also agreed on this implementation mode,” said Mme Helene Cave.