By Lamin Kujabi
The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) has informed President Barrow about their plan to host Pan-African Conference of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, as The Gambian Society assumes chair of the SAHEL committee – comprising 11 Red Cross member countries.
The Gambia Red Cross Society Executive members were at State House on Tuesday, April 22 2025 to brief the President on their accomplishments and contributions to national development. The Society also invited H.E. Barrow to launch their 1.9 million MARIDA project, funded by the Chinese International Development Agency, to support the elimination of malaria in The Gambia over four years.
Speaking to journalists after their closed door meeting with the President, the Secretary General of the Gambia Red Cross Society Mr Ebou Faye Njie expressed gratitude to the Gambian government, especially the Ministry of Health, for their tremendous supports.
He informed that the visit was part of their annual courtesy call to Government, as the GRCS was established by an Act of Parliament in1966.
Mr. Fabakary Kalleh, the President of GRCS, briefed the Gambian President on the Society’s activities and cooperation with the government. He highlighted key developments, including their position on the International Humanitarian Map and the recent appointment of Prof. Muhammed M.O. Kah as the Vice Chairperson of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for the next four years.
He informed that the GRCS has an emergency operation centre for disaster management with a helpline of 1199 meant to report all migration issues; such as people who lost contact with their family members.
The President also “The youth Bantaba, which is the biggest youth program schedule for August in Basse (URR), was also deliberated, were about 500 young people gathers to discuss issues affection them was also discussed” he explained.
He mentioned that the issue of ambulance servicewhich provides services to people was also talkedon as operations are on the way to expand coverage to other parts of the country as it is the pledge to Society to serve the Gambian people.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. YusuphaTouray, accompanied the team to the State House.
