Across the West Coast Region of The Gambia, the threat of environmental degradation is a daily reality
Every child has the right to a clean, healthy, sustainable and abundant environment.
The Gambia government estimated that over 100,000 hectares of forest cover has been lost by the country in the past decade and half, constituting 2.5 percent of the total country’s forests. This is a result of activities including illegal logging and random bushfires, compounded by other human economic activities in the forests.
Environmentalists also believe that the existence of Gambia’s capital, Banjul, is under threat from rising sea levels and flash flooding. Many people, including residents and fishers, have been displaced, while businesses and offices have moved away to safety.
Experts have long warned that a one-metre rise in global sea levels could submerge the two-century-old city, and that urgent intervention is required.
In July and August 2022, The Gambia recorded its heaviest flooding in decades following torrential rain, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses. Over 50,000 people were affected and over 7,000 displaced, according to a report by UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination. Banjul was hardest hit.
Our Impact
3,800
children and youth participated in environmental protection activities, learning about environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.
50
youth engaged in waste management initiatives, promoting environmental cleanliness and creating livelihood opportunities.
1,200
fruit and shade trees planted in schools and communities across the West Coast Region.
35
communities trained on environmental conservation, waste management, and water protection practices.
1
ChildFund The Gambia offices have adopted solar energy solutions to promote clean energy use and reduce its carbon footprint.
1000
solar lamps were distributed among 1000 enrolled children in West Coast Region to facilitate lighting during home studies.
Facts and figures from 2024 data.
Our Approach
The Gambia remains vulnerable to environmental shocks. In 2022, the country experienced its heaviest rains in decades, leading to widespread flooding that displaced thousands of people and disrupted essential services. Coastal erosion, deforestation, and unpredictable weather patterns continue to threaten livelihoods, particularly in the agriculture sector, while undermining the well-being of children and youth.
These environmental challenges pose serious risks to health, safety, education, and food security. They also threaten to reverse development gains and slow progress toward the full realization of children’s rights and potential.
ChildFund is working with schools, communities, various government institutions, and development partners to place children and youth at the center of environmental resilience and sustainable development efforts. This includes engaging youth in reforestation and waste management activities, supporting environmental education in schools, and promoting nature-based solutions that improve livelihoods and reduce risk.
ChildFund, in partnership with organizations such as LEAP Africa and Dow Chemical, is actively engaging youth in plastic waste management and environmental sustainability campaigns. This initiative targets improved waste management systems in Banjul and reaches nearly 10,000 people.
Through collaboration with key stakeholders, the project promotes a circular economy by creating a cleaner environment and generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people. Key activities include public awareness campaigns, youth training programs, school sensitization, distribution of waste bins, and employment opportunities linked to environmental protection.
ChildFund trains local leaders, including Village Development Committees, women, and youth leaders, on the impacts of environmental changes and practical mitigation strategies. These efforts equip and resource communities to lead conservation initiatives.
ChildFund supports communities in adopting alternative sources of energy as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and resilience. One such initiative involves training youth to produce energy-efficient cooking stoves. These stoves significantly reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, helping to curb deforestation and cut harmful emissions. They are also designed to utilize locally available waste materials such as sawdust and groundnut shells, offering a cost-effective, environmentally friendly solution while creating green jobs and income opportunities for young people.
ChildFund supports communities in planting over 3,000 trees annually as part of efforts to restore lost forest cover and combat desertification. In partnerships with organizations like Plantation Nurseries, we have introduced sustainable environmental practices in schools, ensuring young people take active roles in protecting their environment.
ChildFund integrates environmental conservation into its child sponsorship program through the “My Tree, My Sponsor” initiative, where every newly sponsored child plants a tree in honor of their sponsor. Over 20,000 trees have been planted since 2015.
Our commitment to environmental sustainability starts with us. To reduce carbon emissions, ChildFund launched an office solarization project to shift from generator use to solar power. This is a tangible step toward reducing our carbon footprint and promoting clean, renewable energy. Guided by ChildFund’s global environmental policy, we’re also cutting back on plastic use, reducing paper printing, sourcing materials responsibly, and embracing energy-efficient practices. Because building a resilient future for children begins with our own actions today.
Featured Project
Youth in West Coast Region Lead the Way in Protecting the Environment
Across the West Coast Region of The Gambia, the threat of environmental degradation is a daily reality. Communities are grappling with mounting waste and disappearing green spaces. Yet, amid these challenges, a new generation is rising, determined to be the change. The youth are stepping up to champion local solutions. This year, to mark the Youth Day of Service, ChildFund joined forces with LEAP Africa and Dow Chemical to support young people to take action for the planet. In collaboration with its local partner organizations (Saama Kairo, Foni Ding Ding, and Ding Ding Yiriwa Federations) ChildFund mobilized hundreds of youth for a massive community clean-up and tree planting campaign across its program areas
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