|
Report by Chinyere Oliobi, SHCJ
The horrors of destruction and flooding that is still ravaging the northern part of Ghana has been described as unprecedented. An imminent famine stares the three northern regions of Ghana in the face following the flooding caused by the torrential rains that destroyed large tracts of farmlands in those areas.
The floods were preceded by a period of prolonged drought that also destroyed food crops in the regions. The situation is critical and has affected the general food supply from the three regions. It should be noted that the bulk of the food supply to the entire country comes from the north hence the whole country is affected indirectly.
The government has declared the three northern regions a disaster zone after inspecting some areas affected by the floods and weighing the extensive damage caused and taking into consideration the period that the victims of the floods would have to recover from the trauma.
The President visited the victims who are currently putting up in schools and community centres, sympathised with them and assured them that the government would do all that was possible to mitigate their suffering.
The victims in schools leave the schools during school hours only to return after dismissal. They leave their belongings outside during school hours to create room for the pupils and students.
The government has set aside 50 billion to cater for the flood victims in the three regions. He said part of the money would be used to procure food Items, building materials and other emergency needs to be delivered to the victims.
UPPER EAST REGION
Torrential rains coupled with the spillage of water from a dam along the White and Black Voltas in Burkina Faso, resulted in flooding that killed 31 people and displaced up to 90,703 residents in the Upper East Region.
Several acres of farmlands in one of the biggest food basket of the country have been submerged in the flood waters which keep rising by the day collapsing bridges and rendering most roads impassable
The White and Black Volta Rivers had burst their banks, causing serious flooding in most parts of the three regions, most of the rice, maize, yam, tomato and millet have been submerged for more than two weeks. The sectors most affected by the floods were agriculture, road network, health, water supply and sanitation.
Food security in the short and long-term would be badly affected, and about 1.1 million, rural people would see a dramatic downturn in household incomes due to the destruction of cereal and cash crops.
Three people lost their lives in Builsa district where the raging flood displaced hundreds of residents, damaged houses and submerged food crop farms in Sandema and its surrounding villages. The victims are currently putting up with family and friends while others sought refuge in schools. The health of the people had also been affected especially in Sandema. Women and children are particularly vulnerable as a result of their being exposed to conditions that give rise to pneumonia, malaria, cholera and typhoid fever.
Garu-Tempane District has been completely cut off from the other parts of the region as a result of the collapse of its major roads and bridges that linked the area and Bawku, the Northern region as well as Volta region.
Areas that used to be busy communities have also been completely washed away beyond recognition. Available figures showed that a total of 19,621 houses had collapsed, while 90, 703 persons had been displaced.
Many bore-holes had been submerged leading to the contamination of sources of drinking water. 39 dams had been damaged
On the road network, in every one of the eight districts of the Upper West region, many roads, bridges and culverts had been washed away.
So far, 31 deaths had been recorded in the region as a result of collapsed houses that trapped their occupants. In addition, about 90, 703 inhabitants have been rendered homeless and are either putting up with relatives and friends or housed in schools.
Furthermore, 10724 livestock including goats, sheep, cattle and donkeys were either lost or washed away in the disaster.
Budgetary allocation for the region would be over-stretched in terms of the provision of relief items and the reconstruction of bridges and roads.
Emergency repair works on the two main bridges in the region, Garu and Kulungungu, which collapsed as a result of the flooding were being undertaken at a provisional cost 700million cedis.
Other parts of the region affected were Kobore, Sapelliga, Binaba, Piiga, Zongoyire and Tanga all in the Bawku West Districts were farmlands were completely submerged. Three deaths were also recorded in the Bawku West District and many people were internally displaced.
In the Kassena-Nankana District, communities such as Doba, Nayagnia and Kandiga also had their farms totally destroyed. The embankment of the main road leading to Sandema, which was recently constructed, was also washed off by the floods.
In the Bolgatanga municipality, several acres of farmlands were submerged and houses collapsed leaving some families without food and money to cater for their children in School.
The diocese had also presented relief materials to the victims and is still sourcing for funds to procure more. Some well meaning individuals and NGOs are also assisting but then, famine is still looming in the air for there is no food security for the rest of the rainy season as well as the dry season. Majority of the people are now living in abject poverty. The extent of the damage done by the floods is unprecedented hence the victims are still crying for help.
As a result of the disaster, the number of people that come to the Sisters to ask for grains had dramatically increased and the grains are almost finished. Apart from that many people come seeking for one help or the other every now and then for food, medical and other basic necessities of life.
NORTHERN REGION
In the Northern region, 15 persons died following the flooding of some communities in the area due to torrential rains. The flooding occurred mostly in the Saboba-Chereponi and West Gonja districts.
Damage to property is estimated at about 10billion cedis. Several acres of farmlands, animals and houses were also destroyed by the floods.
The roads to some of the districts have been rendered impassable and the people were left with no option than to use canoes to cross to surrounding communities
6 people died in Saboba Chereponi district while 840acres of farmland and 300 houses were destroyed. 2people died in the West Gonja district and the situation in some of the communities was critical. Most of the communities could not be reached except by helicopter.
In Tolon Kumbungu district, 88people were displaced while the roads were badly damaged. The situation in the West Mamprusi district was no different as 1, 041 houses had been destroyed and 93 communities inundated by the flood. About 7000 people are in dire need of food and other relief items, 3324 acres of farmland had been washed away while 37wells at Walewale had been polluted.
In the Central Gonja district, 36 communities have been affected and over 6 roads rendered unmotorable while over 60 animals have been killed and washed away by the floods.
UPPER WEST REGION
In the Upper West region, several acres of farmlands, animals and houses were also destroyed by the floods. The roads to some of the districts have been rendered impassable.
The Lawra and Sisalla East Districts were the worst-hit by the floods in Upper West District. About 10 communities including Dikpe, Tanchera, Gori, Kokoligu and Pofian in the Lawra District had their farms flooded. The flood water covered 485acres of farmlands.
The flood victims in three northern regions appeal passionately to the government and the international community to urgently come to their aid.
|
