Attachments
Highlights
- Mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) data collection through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) on food security started in July.
Operational Updates
- In July, WFP reached a total of 71,980 schoolchildren and cooks for assistance. Food assistance was provided to pre and primary schoolchildren in Greater Banjul Area, West Coast, Lower River, Central River, North Bank and Upper River regions.
- SCOPE registration under the collaboration between WFP and UNICEF for a social (cash) transfer project was completed for 2,909 nursing women beneficiaries from 10 health facilities. The project, Building Resilience through Social Transfers (BReST) is funded by the European Union and it provides cash assistance for 24 months.
- A national quarterly review on the implementation of school meals was held with Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and partners. The review deliberated on progress and challenges of the school meals programmes in various regions.
- WFP rolled out mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) in July. Data collection via Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) is being conducted for 2,300 households across the country. The University of The Gambia School of Agriculture students were trained to conduct the data collection. The objectives of mVAM is to provide updated food security data every six months.
- Operational agreements outlining the implementation of the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition activities under the Envelope B was signed with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) and the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA). A similar agreement was signed with the National Disaster Management Agency to coordinate the implementation of prevention of acute malnutrition activities.
- WFP purchased 35 mt of locally produced beans from a smallholder farmer association in Upper River Region. Support was provided on best warehouse practice and access to basic warehouse equipment.
Challenges
- Availability of sufficient locally produced food, particularly the production of rice and oil in country to support local procurement initiative continues to be a challenge for the school meals programme.