As the Gambia faces an uncertain political transition, the situation raises concerns for the nearly 26,000 people half of them children who have left the country to neighbouring Senegal.
The threat of unrest has also left thousands of children in the Gambia without access to education following the closure of schools in parts of the country.
At the request of Senegalese authorities and United Nations partners, UNICEF’s emergency plans are set to support up to 40,000 people for three months with health care, water, sanitation and education along the border areas.
The plans also look to deploy experts and resources into host communities to help them cope with the influx of refugees.
To help families re-establish some degree of normalcy, the response will supply water and sanitation services in the most affected areas on the border.
The goal is to install or improve 300 water points so the displaced population can get fresh water less than 500 meters from their temporary homes, and host communities will be equipped with latrines and showers.
More than 10,000 bowls and hand washing kits are ready to be deployed to households so families has the basics to practice good hygiene and keep their children healthy.
