Severe flooding in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana's Volta Region has impacted approximately 5,000 individuals, according to Pascal Agbagba, Volta Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). The flooding, caused by the overflow of the River Dayi, has submerged several communities along the river, with the Zongo community being one of the worst affected. Many residents have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the rising floodwaters.
NADMO has begun providing emergency relief to support residents affected by the floods. The organisation has secured two safe havens at the Adabraka and Nima Mosques, which are currently accommodating over 270 people. Essential items such as mattresses, rice, cooking oil, mosquito nets, and repellents have been provided to the displaced residents. Additional supplies are being arranged by the national office to further support those in need.
The floodwaters have started receding, allowing some residents to return home. However, access to clean water remains a significant challenge for the affected communities. The Ghana National Fire Service is assisting in providing water to the residents. NADMO's relief efforts will be scaled up after authorities complete their assessment of the affected communities.
According to Agbagba, the initial supplies provided were not intended to cater to all 5,000 affected persons at once, as many residents were staying with relatives or had returned home. The organisation is working to increase its support, with trucks from Latex Foam dispatching about 1,000 items in the interim, and more materials being organised.
The Hohoe flood disaster has highlighted the need for disaster preparedness and response in the region. NADMO's efforts to provide relief to the affected residents have been commendable, but the organisation requires further support to effectively address the needs of the affected communities. The Ghanaian government and other stakeholders must work together to mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future.
The Volta Regional Director of NADMO has expressed gratitude to the Ghana National Fire Service and other stakeholders for their support in the relief efforts. He also appealed for further assistance to help the affected residents recover from the disaster. The flood has had a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of the affected communities, and a sustained response is necessary to support their recovery.
As the relief efforts continue, the focus will be on providing support to the affected residents and helping them to rebuild their lives. The Ghanaian government and NADMO must work together to develop strategies for disaster risk reduction and management, to minimise the impact of such disasters in the future. The international community may also provide support to supplement the relief efforts.
Key points
- About 5,000 people have been affected by the severe flooding in Hohoe Municipality.
- NADMO has begun providing emergency relief, including essential items and shelter, to support the displaced residents.
- The floodwaters have started receding, allowing some residents to return home, but access to clean water remains a challenge.
