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Gambia   Why children in The Gambia need your helpThe smallest of all African nations, and without any natural minerals or resources, the population of the Gambia is reliant upon agricultural - primarily, peanut oil.
The Gambia faces an epidemic of similar proportions to AIDS: cerebral malaria is one of the most severe forms of malaria; 30 per cent of deaths among children under five are caused by malaria. HIV/AIDS is also having a major impact on children and their families. Country factsThe Gambia achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. Surrounded on all land borders by Senegal, the Gambia entered into short-lived periods of federation during 1982 and 1989, with the new nation known as Senegambia. A 1994 military coup overthrew the first president post independence, Dawda Jawara, installing army lieutenant Yahya Jammeh. He has remained in power ever since and while he has been criticised for his controversial cure for AIDS, and infringement of civil liberties, the Gambia has seen greater political stability than many neighbouring countries in this region. As Africa's smallest continent, the country relies heavily on agriculture, with the Gambia situated on the river of the same name. In recent years, the Gambia has also developed its coastline as a tourist resort.
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Over 80 per cent of
the population lives on less than US$2 a day, with 60 per cent
surviving on just US$1 daily. Almost one in five children under
the age of five years is underweight for their age.
