By Yunus S Saliu
The international humanitarian organisation, StarUp Foundation, Thursday, 7 May 2026, donated emergency vehicles and equipment to Gambian institutions.
The donated vehicles and specialised equipment were handed down to to the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) and other security and emergency institutions in the country.
The official handover ceremony took place at the State House and was attended by President Adama Barrow, the Minister of Interior, the Chief Fire Officer, the President of StarUp Foundation, senior government officials, and high-ranking officers from various security and emergency institutions.
Among the donated items were eight operational and emergency vehicles for the GFRS, including two URO 3500L 4×4 fire trucks with less than 20,000 kilometres, one 12,000-litre fire water tanker truck, two cargo trucks, two Land Rover 4×4 vehicles, and one Nissan 4×4 vehicle.
According to officials, all the vehicles are manual transmission and were specifically selected to facilitate maintenance and ensure efficient operation under Gambian road conditions.
In addition to the vehicles, StarUp Foundation also donated a large quantity of specialised emergency equipment, including wildfire firefighting tools, personal protective equipment for firefighters, high-capacity power generators, welding machines for distribution among national security institutions, printers, professional Kenwood radio communication systems and handsets, firefighting hoses, and firefighting kits.
Sonja Arup, President of StarUp Foundation, said the communication systems formed part of the national emergency radio communication project the foundation has been implementing across The Gambia over the past two years.
“The project is aimed at modernising and connecting emergency services throughout the country,” she explained.
She added that the initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the Ministry of Interior of The Gambia and several international partners, including Cabildo de Gran Canaria, FEMEPA, GESPORT, Konica Minolta, Fundacion La Laboral, Binter, and Bakadaji Hotel, among others.
According to her, the project also benefited from the support of the Sapeurs-Pompiers du Senegal, further strengthening regional and international cooperation in emergency response and public safety.
Members of the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service welcomed the donation with gratitude and renewed motivation, noting that firefighters in the country have long faced operational challenges due to limited resources and outdated equipment.
Since late 2023, she said, StarUp Foundation has been actively supporting the GFRS, contributing significantly to efforts aimed at modernising emergency response capabilities in The Gambia.
Sonja Arup emphasised that the donation represented more than just the handover of vehicles and equipment.
“It stands as a symbol of friendship, solidarity, cooperation, and shared humanity between the people of the Canary Islands in Spain and the Republic of The Gambia,” she remarked.