VIEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

Gambia

We’re working with 15 communities in Gambia to ensure that development is informed by the perspectives of people most at risk.

1275

Random household surveys

150

Civil society surveys

150

Local government surveys

Key findings and conclusions at the national level

  • Flood management systems at the local level need to be established since floods have been recognised as the priority threat both in the present and the future
  • Inclusion of communities in the assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring of risk reduction plans and activities needs to be institutionalised
  • Developmental planning needs to be informed by disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and ecosystem management perspectives

Surveys undertaken in Gambia

Our Views from the Frontline surveys in Gambia were undertaken in 2019.

Who was surveyed?

We surveyed 1,275 random households, 150 civil society organisations, 150 local government representatives, and undertook 78 community consultations.

Risk locations prioritised

We prioritised four risk areas:

  • Brikama
  • Janjanbureh
  • Kanifing
  • Basse

Communities surveyed

We surveyed people from 15 communities: Nema Jola kunda , Jambarr Sanneh, Giboro, Ndemban Jola, Annish kunda, Bansang, Kuntaur, Palang Mandinka, Ebotown, Tallinding Medina, Bakau waslu, kaba kama, Sare Bojoh, Nyakoi Kerewan, Dasilami.

“Due to our nature as differently-abled persons, we are last to be considered when disasters strike and we do not have opportunities to sharing our opinions in decision making in disaster issues.”

Community representative, Upper River Region, Gambia

Our impact

Activities undertaken in response to community-level findings and conclusions

  • Flood management activities such as cleaning, renovation and improvement of existing drainages, construction and rehabilitation of canals and culverts, and dyke construction
  • Environment management through tree plantation, waste management, fencing off a dumping site and pothole filling
  • Community sensitisation on windstorms, land erosion, and disaster risk reduction issues

Impact of activities

  • Communities are included as stakeholder in the assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring of risk reduction plans and activities for flood and disaster management
  • Increased awareness and involvement of communities in actions to reduce disaster risk and climate change, leading to quality of life improvements
  • Increased awareness of climatic change and best practice among the public and private developers,
  • Increased awareness of the practice of planting cover plants to tackle erosion caused by the pressure of moving water

Our project partners in Gambia

Our Views from the Frontline programme is implemented by GNDR member organisations and partners in the country.

National coordinating organisation

  • Young Volunteers for the Environment

Partner organisations

  • Saama Kairo Federation
  • Agency for Village Support
  • Adventist Development and Relief Agency
  • Wuli and Sandu Development Agency

View all data from Gambia

You can view all our Views from the Frontline survey data using our data dashboard. You can also learn more about our methodology for selecting at-risk areas and survey respondents.

Project funded by

European Union

Our Views from the Frontline project is funded by the European Union (EU). Content related to this project on our website was made possible by the support of the EU. All content is the sole responsibility of GNDR and does not necessarily reflect the views of the EU.

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Photo credit

Image by Isaac Turay from Pixabay.