Dippa Kunda Woman Seeks Help as Kotu Stream Floods Continues

As part of the ongoing five-day training on Environment and Disaster Reporting for journalists, the Gambia Press Union (GPU), in partnership with the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA ResIP2), led participants on a field visit to the Kotu Stream on Day Four of the training. The visit was designed to give journalists practical exposure to environmental issues linked to the WACA project in The Gambia.

The tour took the team to key points along the Kotu Stream, starting from the Latrikunda Sukuta Nema Bridge in Nema Kunku, In West Coast Region, followed by the Manjai New Road Bridge and BB Hotel Bridge in the Kanifing Municipality.

During the visit, the journalists had the opportunity to engage with residents who are used to being affected by flooding, especially those living close to the stream.

Kaddy Kalloga, a long-time resident of Dippa Kunda said “When it rains heavily, the stream overflows and the water enters our compound,” she said. “It destroys our food and property, and we are left to struggle.”

Kaddy shared how the Kotu Stream, once a clean and peaceful place for community bathing and dishwashing during her childhood, has now become a source of fear during the rainy season. She appealed for immediate government and stakeholder intervention to support affected residents.

The field trip was guided by WACA officials Haruna Cham and Abdoulie Sey, who responded to journalists’ questions and explained the goals of the WACA project. They emphasized the project’s focus on strengthening community resilience and addressing coastal and environmental degradation.

This field experience aimed to deepen journalists’ understanding of environmental issues.