By: Dawda Baldeh
Following the massive destruction caused by flooding across the country from 30th to 31st July, which has hundreds of families homeless, residents of Banjul Tobacco Street who were not spared by the flood urged the government to regulate rent and build waterways to enable water to move freely to avoid reoccurrence of flooding.
Speaking to The Fatu Network, Penda Faal, a flood victim, said they are living in a difficult situation with their families as they watched the flood destroy all their belongings, adding that they have no place to call home.
“We lost everything in the flood and we are left with nothing. Our children are not going to school and we don’t have a place to sleep.”
Mrs Bah said she has nobody to support her in this difficult moment of her life. “I lost my son who was the only one supporting me who died while embarking on the journey to Europe. My condition is devastating, and I am only hoping that Allah will help us. The rent is now too expensive for people like me who have no support. The less you can pay for rent is two thousand five hundred dalasis (D25, 000). We urged the government and philanthropists to help us so that we can also live a normal life,” she lamented.
Yeddel Bah, another flood victim, also confirmed that their homes are occupied with stagnant water which is making life more difficult for them. She said they have lost valuables in the flood including; Food items, TVs, Mattresses, Cloths, Fridges, books, and documents among others.
“The water has now developed an unpleasant odour in our rooms, we really need help for the sake of Allah,” she added.
Mrs Bah further disclosed that her children are not going to school due to the current situation they are living in. “We are really devastated and we need support. My children’s education and a place to sleep is my main concern now because we want them to be educated so that they can take care of us.
My husband has been sick for many years and I am the breadwinner of the family. The flood has taken us back to scratch, we lost everything. I was selling ice to generate income to pay school fees for my children and also to provide meals for the family and now that fridge has been spoiled.”
Kaddijatou Jallow, another victim, emphasized the need for government to put in strong mechanisms to regulate rent in the country, saying it is affecting low-income earners. “We cannot afford to go anywhere to pay rent because it is very expensive and we all know how expensive the markets are at the moment”, disclosing that their houses are no longer fit to accommodate people.
“People are increasing the rent every day while they are not renovating the houses. Many landlords are only interested in the money and the wellbeing of their tenants.”
According to her, poor people are the most vulnerable in this difficult situation because they cannot afford rent. Now, people are asked to pay six months as an advance payment for rent and this is very expensive.
Maimuna Gassama also joined other flood victims in the call for the government to regulate the rent and give them the necessary support. She said life has been extremely difficult for them since the flood occurred. Like other families, Ms Gassama has also lost all her house belonging to the flood. She described the flood as devastating, adding that it has given them sleepless nights.
Over three hundred flood victims have been stationed at St. Augustine Senior Secondary School in Banjul where they are provided with food and shelter by the Gambia Red Cross with support from partners.
The flood victims expressed their profound gratitude to Hon. Modou Lamin Bah, National Assembly Member for Banjul North, the Red Cross volunteers, mayor of Banjul Rohey Malick Lowe, and the National Disaster Management Agency for their timely intervention.
