As of 31 July 2020, The Gambia recorded 671 confirmed COVID-19 cases, out of which there were 79 recoveries and 14 fatalities. This and the Extension of the Country’s State of Public Emergency, resulted in the re-initiation of UNFPA The Gambia’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP), requiring all staff members to work from home. This arrangement although not designed to replace normal operations, is aimed at ensuring continuity of the agency’s lifesaving work in the context of the pandemic, while prioritising staff safety and welfare.

In the words of Finance and Administrative Associate, Yusupha Jarjusey, the initiation of the Country Office BCP is an effective way to guarantee that our constituents – women, youth and adolescents are adequately prepared and provided with essential services that are vital for their wellbeing, especially their sexual and reproductive health despite the pandemic. For Yusupha, working from home means spending more time with family during such an uncertain period and ensuring they support each other ease their anxieties propelled by the pandemic. 

Being a mother as we know, comes with added responsibilities and new fears. For new mom Maimuna Denton, Programme Analyst Monitoring and Evaluation and Supply Chain who recently returned to work from her maternity leave, COVID-19 has raised her concerns. However, she shared that working from home during this pandemic has eased her fears of leaving her new-born baby and older daughter at home and availed her an opportunity to keep herself and her family safe at all times.

Maimuna currently leads knowledge management efforts, to document the Country Office’s experience and efforts during this period. This has created an opportunity for her to monitor our support to The government’s COVID-19 National Response Plan, to maximise impact of investing in UNFPA’s target populations and ensuring that even now, our three transformative results are advanced.

“I constantly educate my family and neighbours on the importance of staying home unless absolutely necessary to go out, wearing face masks in public and practicing handwashing and respiratory hygiene.” These were the word of Wassa Jarju, one of the drivers at the Country Office, when asked how he is keeping safe and dealing with the COVID-19 situation in the country. Wassa who is an important member of Country Office family and always helpful to people, was quick to stress that

“everyone should stay safe by following the guidelines that have been provided. This virus is real and it knows no boundaries. I am doing my part and helping my family and community. We must all do the same.”

Being an employer that prioritises staff wellbeing and safety, the agency has invested in resources to support staff and their dependents with services and products that will reduce the impact of the pandemic on their lives and work, including provision of PPE and access to individual and group stress counselling services, in order to promote mental health and wellness during the pandemic.

Staff of UNFPA in The Gambia just like all other people in The Gambia, are part of the fight to end COVID-19. Their realities may be similar to yours. This is why we must at this point ask, have you done something to spread the word about COVID-19 today? You still have time now. Remember, we can beat this together!

Media contact:

Haddy Jonga - Programme Analyst Communications, UNFPA The Gambia jonga@unfpa.org   

Isatou Jallow - Communications Associate, UNFPA The Gambia ijallow@unfpa.org