On Tuesday, President Adama Barrow kicked off the WACA Livelihoods Improvement Programme, a $5 million project designed to bolster incomes and enhance climate resilience for communities near the Kotu Stream. This initiative is part of the larger $45 million West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Resilience Investment Project II, backed by the World Bank and managed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources.
The programme aims to assist 4,000 beneficiaries, focusing on women, youth, and people with disabilities, all of whom have faced significant challenges due to flooding and environmental issues in the Greater Banjul Area. President Barrow reflected on the devastating floods of 2022 that affected countless lives and reiterated that this initiative is a proactive response to such crises, combining infrastructure improvements with economic support.
“This programme is about protecting lives and enhancing resilience,” he said, linking it to the government’s social protection goals and the National Development Plan.
The first phase will allocate $1.6 million to assist 1,500 beneficiaries, including businesses and cooperatives located along the Kotu Stream. WACA Project Coordinator Masanneh Landing Ceesay noted that the Kotu Stream is vital for 11 communities, supporting over 200,000 individuals engaged in activities like urban farming, fisheries, and even ecotourism.
The program will offer grants, skills training, business advice, mentorship, and access to markets. It also encourages climate-smart practices such as waste recycling and sustainable agriculture. International Trade Centre (ITC) representative Yusupha Keita stated that this initiative could revolutionize informal, survival-based activities into thriving businesses. He emphasized that the real barrier for beneficiaries is opportunity, not potential.
World Bank representative Matar Touray highlighted that most Gambians rely on vulnerable jobs tied to natural resources, making this programme pivotal for building resilience. He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth, especially for women and youth.
This initiative will run alongside essential civil works to restore the 11.2-kilometre Kotu Stream, aimed at reducing flood risks. By improving environmental conditions, the project seeks to create a more sustainable future for the local communities.
As this programme unfolds, ongoing user reactions on social media indicate optimism about its potential impact. Many see it as a necessary step toward economic empowerment in an area that has seen its share of hardships. The collaboration between local communities and government efforts signifies a collective move toward building a resilient future.
The WACA Livelihoods Improvement Programme represents not just an investment in infrastructure but also a commitment to people’s livelihoods and climate resilience. For more detailed information on similar initiatives, check out the [World Bank’s insights](https://www.worldbank.org/en/news) on climate resilience and economic empowerment.
