Building community resilience: WACA and NDMA empower nine wards along the Kotu Stream with comprehensive contingency plans.

Together with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the WACA Gambia Project in June 2024 set out to enhance community resilience across the nine wards in the Project Intervention Area. WACA and NDMA brought together community leaders, including Ward Councilors, and community members to create comprehensive contingency plans for their wards.

“This is very important, especially for the people of Nema Kunku who face a lot of challenges during the rainy season,” said Hon. Momodou Kanteh, the Ward Councilor for Nema Kunku. “So, when we have a contingency plan and a committee responsible for mitigating the challenges people face, that is very important. I am sure we will be able to execute the Contingency Plan we are developing here.”

Workshops were organized for each ward, where participants were guided in developing their ward contingency plans, outlining community strategies for disaster management, including emergency shelters and communication channels. Participants also organized drills and simulation exercises.