By Seedy Jobe
President Adama Barrow on Tuesday launched a $5 million livelihoods program under the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Project, an initiative intended to support 4,000 Gambians over the next two years, with a focus on women, young people, and persons with disabilities.
The program, formally known as the WACA Project Livelihoods Programme, is part of a broader government effort to address the growing impacts of flooding, coastal erosion, and climate-related vulnerability, particularly in the Greater Banjul Area.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Barrow recalled the devastating floods of 2022, which killed several people, displaced thousands, and severely disrupted communities across the country.
“In 2022, during the devastating floods that killed several people, displaced thousands, and disrupted lives across our country, I visited some of the affected communities and promised that my government would take urgent steps to tackle flooding, especially in densely populated areas,” he said.
Less than a year later, the government introduced the $45 million WACA Resilience Investment Project, designed to reduce flooding and pollution along the Kotu Stream, one of the most flood-prone waterways in the country. The livelihoods program represents a central pillar of that investment.
Under the plan, $1.6 million will be disbursed in the first phase to support about 1,500 beneficiaries. The remaining funds are expected to reach an additional 2,500 people in subsequent phases. Eligible beneficiaries include individual entrepreneurs, livelihood groups, farmer-based organizations and producer groups operating along the Kotu Stream corridor.
“The target groups are individual enterprises, livelihood groups, farmer-based organisations, and producer groups operating along the Kotu Stream,” President Barrow explained. “The reason for targeting these groups is to protect their livelihoods and stimulate entrepreneurship, food security, and climate adaptation at the grassroots level.”
The president praised the World Bank and the International Trade Centre for their support, describing the initiative as evidence of the government’s commitment to strengthening institutions and building long-term resilience.
“We will build the required infrastructure to protect families from flooding and support them to live in dignity,” President Barrow said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing climate change, coastal erosion, and vulnerability.
According to President Barrow, the WACA Project has already contributed to the development of major legislative and policy frameworks, including The Gambia’s first Climate Change Bill and the National Disaster Risk Management Policy.
Addressing prospective beneficiaries, the president urged them to use the support responsibly and sustainably. “This scheme is as much about financial support as it is about empowerment, resilience, and self-esteem. Its success depends on you, the beneficiaries; therefore, own it and commit to it with diligence and openness.”
Officials say the livelihoods program is expected to contribute to economic recovery in flood-affected communities while strengthening local capacity to adapt to future climate shocks.