Gambia
1.1 Gambia Humanitarian Background

Gambia Humanitarian Background

Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

Natural Disasters

Yes / No

Comments / Details

Drought

Yes Rainy falls dropped by 30% in the past 30years. In the long term desertification is a threat as the sub-Sahara pushes its way further south. Severe droughts have already destroyed harvest and with limited resources to cope with climate changes the Gambia is particularly vulnerable to these changes.

Earthquakes

n/a n/a

Epidemics

Yes Cholera outbreaks linked to floods and resulted in deaths;(2008-2009) Cholera outbreaks from attending religious gatherings in neighbouring Senegal.(2006-2007)

Extreme Temperatures

Yes Sometimes above 37 C at the Upper River Region

Flooding

Yes Recent flood happens at Basse Admistrative town (Upper River Region) and some part of the urban settlements, destructive rain destroy and farmland

Insect Infestation

Yes n/a

Mudslides

n/a n/a

Volcanic Eruptions

n/a n/a

High Waves / Surges

n/a n/a

Wildfires

n/a n/a

High Winds

n/a n/a

Other Comments

n/a

Man-Made Issues

Civil Strife

n/a n/a

International Conflict

n/a n/a

Internally Displaced Persons

n/a n/a

Refugees Present

n/a n/a

Landmines / UXO Present

n/a n/a

Other Comments

n/a

For more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters:

EMDAT information on Gambia

Calamities and Seasonal Affects

Seasonal Affects on Transport

Transport

Comments

From (month) to (month)

Primary Road Transport

The main highways are affected especially the south bank but can usually still be used Jun - Sept

Secondary Road Transport

Landslide and poor road conditions are major problems for secondary roads. Heavy rains cause numerous landslides and cut off remote areas especially at region 5 & 6. The economic impact of this is huge as farmland and houses are lost. Jun - Sept

Rail Transport

n/a n/a

Air Transport

During rainy seasons, heavy rains and strong winds impact the main airport. The airport could be busier during the tourist season which runs from mid October. Jun - Sept

Waterway Transport

n/a n/a

 

Seasonal Affects on Storage and Handling (economic, social, climate…)

Activity

Comments

From <month> to <month>

Storage

WFP has 2 warehouses (food) with capacity of 2000 metric tons each. There is one non food item warehouse which has located in the Kanifing Industrial areas which is about 200 meter away from the Logistics office and has the capacity of 500 metric tons. These warehouses are already being used for development project (105480) to delivery rations to beneficiaries’ schools, during the rainy season precautionary planning is advisable.

Jun - Sept

Handling

During rainy season handling of goods become problematic as operation (as port handling) will slow down during this period. Also not all the transporters are well organized with tarpaulin equipped trucks.

Jun - Sept

Other

n/a

n/a

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

During and prior to an emergency hitting the main player is NDMA – National Disaster Management Agency – the government’s permanent agency for contingencies in The Gambia needs update from the agency latest Monday. This agency works on coordination and planning of resources to respond to emergencies and has decentralized offices at the National, Regional, District and Village level. Its overall goal is to ensure a proper and effective mechanism for disaster mitigation and preparedness that will save lives and livelihoods in the country. There is a policy strategic objective in place which mandates the disaster commodities to integrate disaster risk reduction into sustainable development policies and planning and to develop and strengthen institutional mechanism and capacities to build resilience to hazards to name a few.

Government

For information on Gambia government contact details, please see the following link: 

4.1 Gambia Government Contact List

Humanitarian Community

For information on Gambia humanitarian contact details, please see the following link: 

4.2 Gambia Humanitarian Agency Contact List

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