By Dawda Jallow
Cemiyatul Hyre Relief Organization Gambia (CHRO-Gambia), in partnership with the International Humanitarian Relief Organization Netherlands (IHHNL), has donated and distributed 166 cows to vulnerable Muslim communities across The Gambia ahead of Eid al-Adha.
The livestock, valued at nearly D8 million, was distributed as part of a Qurban initiative aimed at supporting needy families during the Tobaski celebrations.
According to the organisation, the beneficiaries were drawn from Foni, the West Coast Region, and the Greater Banjul Area.
The first phase of the exercise saw 61 cows slaughtered and distributed in Tampoto Village, while the remaining 105 were allocated to beneficiaries in Basori Village in the West Coast Region.
Speaking during the distribution, CHRO-Gambia Country Coordinator Musa Jallow said the total budget provided by donors for this year’s project was close to D8 million.
He said the implementation of the programme faced challenges including rising transport costs, livestock prices, and currency fluctuations in neighbouring Senegal, where the animals were sourced.
Jallow described the initiative as the largest Qurban project undertaken by the organisation in The Gambia to date.
He noted that the country was recently ranked fifth among more than 33 African countries implementing programmes supported by IHHNL.
He said the recognition reflects growing international confidence in The Gambia’s humanitarian work and urged continued efforts to improve the country’s standing.
The Secretary General of CHRO, Sainey Baldeh, commended the donors for their support and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to transparency and accountability in delivering humanitarian assistance.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing it as timely support for vulnerable families during Eid al-Adha celebrations.
They also praised the organisers and called for the continuation of similar initiatives to support needy communities across the country.