The Gambia

People gather in Balnghar village, The Gambia.

USAID/Richard Jacquot

Decreased crop production resulting from poor rains led to food insecurity across The Gambia in mid-2012, particularly in 19 of the country’s 39 districts.  Crop failure had directly affected approximately 428,000 people in the most food-insecure districts as of early May, according to the U.N. World Food Program.  Rising food prices further affected household food security as many families were unable to afford food in local markets.  In March, the Government of The Gambia declared an emergency due to the effects of increased food prices and poor agricultural production resulting from a reported 70 percent reduction in crop yields during the 2011 harvest. 

An assessment conducted by USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) in early May found that families in some areas of the country had already depleted their household food stocks, triggering the start of the lean season two to three months earlier than normal.  The assessment team also noted that many farmers lacked seeds needed for the upcoming planting season, as seeds are traditionally collected from the previous harvest, limiting the possibility of a successful harvest without additional agricultural assistance.

On May 8, U.S. Ambassador Pamela White declared a disaster due to the effects of food insecurity in The Gambia.  In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Banjul to address immediate food security needs.  Additional USAID/OFDA assistance continues to support agricultural production and cash transfers to allow vulnerable families to purchase basic goods available in local markets.

USG HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED IN FY 2012

^*This figure includes funding for both disaster response and disaster risk reduction activities. (As of September 14, 2012)

Sahel Food Insecurity and Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #16 (417kb PDF) and map (208kb PDF)

USAID/DCHA Pounds of Prevention - West Africa (278kb PDF)