Ghana's Salaga North MP, Alhassan Mumuni, is urging the government to activate the National Disaster Management Fund, a legal provision created almost a decade ago but never funded. The fund, provided for under the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Act, 2016 (Act 927), aims to give NADMO a sustainable source of money for disaster management duties. Mumuni's call comes as severe flooding has displaced nearly 300 residents in North East Gonja and over 50,000 in Hohoe, Volta Region.
The NADMO fund was intended to provide a reliable financing stream for disaster responders, but it has never been resourced or made operational. According to Mumuni, this gap is most visible at the district level, where NADMO officers are expected to be first on the scene when disaster strikes. Many district offices lack basic logistics, such as vehicles, leaving district directors unable to reach communities hit by flooding or other emergencies.
The impact of the unfunded NADMO fund is evident in the current flood response efforts. President John Mahama recently toured the flood-hit town of Hohoe and distributed relief items after NADMO confirmed 5,140 people displaced and 412 houses damaged. Earlier reports indicated that over 5,300 residents were left homeless as floodwaters began to recede. Mumuni argues that NADMO's work should not be limited to responding after disasters have happened, but also cover prevention and preparedness.
The absence of a funded national disaster fund has significant consequences for communities in disaster-prone districts. Local NADMO offices often lack the vehicles and logistics to reach flood victims quickly, affecting how fast displaced families receive help and how well districts can prepare ahead of the rainy season. Mumuni's appeal to the government is to prioritize the implementation of the fund and provide NADMO with the necessary financial and logistical support.
The current flooding in Hohoe and North East Gonja highlights the need for a proactive approach to disaster management. The government's response to the crisis has been criticized for being reactive rather than proactive. The implementation of the NADMO fund could help shift the focus from relief efforts to prevention and preparedness, ultimately saving lives and reducing the impact of disasters.
The government has not provided a timeline for when, or if, it plans to operationalize the National Disaster Management Fund. Mumuni's call for immediate action has not been met with an official response from the government. The delay in implementing the fund has significant implications for the country's disaster management capabilities and its ability to respond to emergencies effectively.
The plight of NADMO staff in many districts is a testament to the need for a funded disaster management fund. The organization's mandate includes prevention, preparedness, and response, but without a reliable financing stream, it is struggling to function effectively. The implementation of the NADMO fund would help address the logistical and financial challenges faced by the organization, ultimately enhancing its ability to respond to disasters and save lives.
Key points
- The National Disaster Management Fund, created nearly a decade ago, remains unfunded, despite its potential to provide a reliable financing stream for disaster responders.
- The absence of a funded NADMO fund has significant consequences for communities in disaster-prone districts, affecting how fast displaced families receive help and how well districts can prepare ahead of the rainy season.
- The implementation of the NADMO fund could help shift the focus from relief efforts to prevention and preparedness, ultimately saving lives and reducing the impact of disasters.
