The Marlborough Brandt Group (MBG) is appealing to the Marlborough community to contribute towards an Emergency Fund set up in support of the poorest members of the Gunjur community who will suffer greatly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The relationship between the Brandt Group and the predominantly Muslim community of Gunjur in The Gambia, West Africa goes back thirty nine years. Baai Jabang, Director of TARUD, the Gunjur development agency which Marlborough Brandt Group set up in 1997, e-mailed MBG appealing for support (synopsis below) for those particularly vulnerable families.
“While so far, only four cases of coronavirus and one death have been reported by the Gambian Government, two hundred and forty people are in quarantine and measures are being put in place across the country to limit the spread of the disease. Schools are closed down, shops are being closed apart from food and essential supply shops, all entry in and out of the country are banned and borders closed, commercial vehicles are asked to carry only half of the vehicle capacity and many other engagements including Friday prayers at the Mosque, are cancelled to minimize social/community transmission.
“CRITICAL“
More than 80% of Gambian staple food (Rice) is imported from Pakistan, America, Thailand, India, Japan and other countries hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Farm activities are hindered and rice production in these countries is at stake. We might reach a stage where available food in these countries will only be for their countries and we will be secondary. Food reserves in the Gambia are sufficient for not more than 3 months. This situation may plunge the country into hunger and chaos in search of survival options. When will production resume in the supplying countries until they have enough for exports to the Gambia?
I am concerned that a 6 months household food security/availability is key and an immediate priority for especially the very poor families in Gunjur.”
In the meantime, Baai and other community leaders are working hard to identify those families that will be hardest hit by the pandemic. If you felt able to make a donation, the people of Gunjur would clearly be hugely grateful and it may literally save lives. Donations should be made to:
MBG a/c number 00005756 sort code 40-52-40. This is a Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) account. Title your donation Gunjur Emergency Fund.
If you have any questions or encounter any difficulty in transferring the money please contact Dr Nick Maurice at drnickmaurice@gmail.com
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