The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), Department of Community Development (DCD) and Directorate of Social Welfare (DSW) are currently implementing the Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity (RISE) Project which is jointly funded by the World Bank and the Gambia Government.
The project is poised to provide a foundation for sustainable livelihoods to the poor and vulnerable, comprising five components with various stakeholders from different institutions.
The Nafa Program, a subcomponent of the RISE project is being implemented in the 20 poorest districts in the rural regions (West Coast Region, North Bank Region, Lower River Region, Central River Region North, Central River Region South, and Upper River Region of the Gambia, while 3 of the districts have already graduated.
The beneficiaries in the remaining 17 continue to receive a bi-monthly cash transfer of D3000.00 and Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) activities from 15th – 23rd September 2025.
Mr. Alasana Sanneh, the Regional Social Welfare Officer, North Bank Region has indicated that this is the 16th cycle of the cash transfer.
He noted that the Social Welfare under the ministry of Gender and partners are contributing effectively in the cash transfer programme.
He added that before the cash transfer, beneficiaries are put through Social and Behavioural Change Communications (SBCC) which entails positive parenting, gender-based violence and also the early childhood development.
Mr. Sanneh posited that the protection and promotion of children and vulnerable people are key in national development and is one of their core mandate as a ministry.
He emphasised that the welfare of children is key in the SBCC and positive playful parenting sessions especially protecting them from all forms of physical and emotional abuse.
Mr. Sanneh urged the beneficiaries to take the SBCC sessions very seriously and make best use of the knowledge gained. “This will enhance positive behavioural changes at the level of the household and community for the general advancement of our nation”.
He also urged the communities to report any form of grievance or issue related to the project to either the community or regional GRM or call the toll free line 1229 if they are not comfortable going to these committees to ensure timely response.
He said the project aims to empower youth enterprise and support vulnerable communities, contributing to sustained economic growth and resilience to improve the coordination of social assistance and increased inclusion of extremely poor demographics.
“Gambia RISE also seeks to drive behavioural change to improve households, health, nutrition, early childhood development, parenting and family planning within frameworks to prevent gender-based violence, he posited.
Mr. Alasana Sanneh, Regional Social Welfare Officer outlined the key role they are playing in the Gambia RISE project especially when it comes to GRM component, which plays a significant role and paid dividend to this new project.
Fatou Drammeh a senior Nutrition Officer at the NaNA who presented the SBCC module said children are the futures of the country, their wellbeing, development and protection should be everyone’s business.
She said it is imperative for people be in cognisant of child labour and abuse.
However, Cash transfers were conducted in Foni Kalagi West Coast Region, Kiang- Janneh Kunda, LRR, Njain- Sanjal- CRR-North where beneficiaries expressed delight for the timely support.
Jabou Nget of Sabach Sanjal, a beneficiary said whenever she received her cash transfer, she hands it to the husband who is not in good condition of health to spend on the family and invest some in ruminants.
