Gambia
- 53%
- of the population live in poverty
- 29%
- out of the people (2.4 million) are food insecure
- 24%
- of households have inadequate food consumption
The Gambia faces high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among women, young people and children. This is driven by multiple and diverse factors.
Agriculture contributes 25 percent of the country’s GDP, employs 70 percent of the
population and is the source of livelihoods for 80 percent of rural inhabitants.
However, it covers less than 50 percent of food requirements, meaning the country relies significantly
on imported food. This leaves it vulnerable to price volatility, with high levels of food Inflation creating constant challenges for the poorest people.
Agricultural productivity is worsened by climate-related shocks that damage crops and land, and pose a serious threat to livelihoods.
WFP has been present in The Gambia since the 1970s, providing support including food assistance, nutrition services and climate-resilience activities.
What the World Food Programme is doing in the Gambia
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Crisis response
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WFP works in partnership with The Government to provide food and nutrition assistance to those affected by climate shocks, including children aged 6 to 59 months as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls.
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Home-grown school feeding
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WFP is supporting The Government by providing preschool and primary-school children across the country with nutritious meals based on locally produced ingredients. This improves school attendance and learning ability, along with children’s health and nutrition. Home-grown school feeding is the biggest safety net in the country.
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Tackling malnutrition
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We work with the Government on supplementary feeding activities for children aged 6 to 59 months, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, to improve their diets and help prevent chronic malnutrition. We also provide education to promote practices such as breastfeeding and complementary food.
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Smallholder agricultural market support
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Our work with smallholder farmers includes buying their food for use in home-grown school feeding, which creates a predictable market, increases their income and stimulates the local economy.
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Capacity strengthening
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WFP supports the Government and state institutions by providing technical support to strengthen national social protection systems, such as home-grown school feeding. We further help to build their capacities in disaster risk reduction and national emergency preparedness.
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Social protection
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WFP supports the Government and state institutions by providing technical support to strengthen national social protection systems, such as home-grown school feeding. We further help to build their capacities in disaster risk reduction and national emergency preparedness.
Gambia news releases
Go to pagePartners and donors
Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in the Gambia is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
The Government of The Gambia
Climate Adaptation Fund
Global Agriculture and Food Security Program
Japan
Japan Association for the World Food Programme (JAWFP)
View all
Find out more about the state of food security in Gambia
Visit the food security analysis pageOperations in Gambia
Contacts
Office
UN House, Koffi Annan Street, Cape Point, Banjul, Islamic Republic of the Gambia.
Banjul
Gambia
Phone
(+220) 4494782
Fax
(+220) 4495785