The Vice President Ajaratou Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy on Friday presented a cheque for US$700, 000 to the Taiwanese Ambassador, Richard Shih, at a ceremony held on Friday at her office in Banjul. 
The donation is in connection to the recent typhoon Morakat that hit the Republic of Taiwan causing lots of destructions and loss of lives and properties.

Vice President Njie-Saidy, speaking at the occasion, described the incident as a very sad one, and the donation she said, is to show Gambia’s appreciation to the people of Taiwan and to sympathize with the victims.  "Taiwan and The Gambia share a lot in common and the two leaders have similar visions; therefore the relationship between the two countries goes beyond friendship," VP Njie-Saidy stated.

The Gambia government, the Vice President said has given the token amount for the victims as a humanitarian gesture and to sympathize with them on half of the people of The Gambia. This, VP Njie-Saidy said, is what a friend can do for a fellow friend. She added that the President has felt this so much and that government has given the token to show their appreciation of what the Taiwanese government is doing for The Gambia.

On receiving the cheque, Ambassador Shih on behalf of his government and the victims, expressed profound gratitude to President Jammeh and the people of The Gambia for demonstrating genuine friendship, saying a friend in deed is a friend in need. "I am deeply moved by messages from Gambian people conveying their sympathy and condolences," he stated.
Ambassador Shih further thanked the President and the people of The Gambia for their concern and promised to send the cheque via DHL so that the affected families can access money immediately.

For his part, the Minister of Environment, Momodou Kotu Cham, expressed sympathy and sadness over the incident that happened in Taiwan causing several hundred deaths and loss of properties. Minister Cham said The Gambia is doing this as a show of solidarity and sense of responsibility adding that the President has taken the lead in mobilizing the Gambian people to show sympathy to the victims and the Taiwanese government. He finally wished the people of Taiwan, the victims in particular a speedy recovery.

By Fatou Touray