THE GHANAIAN TIMES
TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER, 2007
FLOODS DISPLACE 50,000 AT BUILSA
STURY BY: A. A. MBORD, SANDEMA
The wake of the prolonged rainstorms in parts of the three northern regions, the Builsa District Chief Executive, Kofi Alonsi, says the district needs urgent supply of tent to accommodate over 50,000 flood victims and he is appealing to relief organizations, philanthropists and the international community to help.
He said the victims are currently sharing classrooms with pupils following the reopening of schools last week. He told the Times during a visit to the Local Queen Elizabeth Primary School that in the mornings, the victims push their belongings the corner of the classrooms to enable the children to rearrange their tables and chairs for classes.
The Times observed that while the classes were in progress, the displaced persons including children and the aged loitered in the premises, a situation not conducive for teaching and learning.
The situation is the same at Daweo and Pobaga, both in the Bolgatanga municipality.
An old woman, Akantulsi Adagabe, said, “I do not know whether I will die here or get a house again before I die. There is no hope in sight because the relief items, especially the food ration, are so small that we have to deny ourselves food for the children to survive.”
Mr. Alonsi said the district assembly is ensuring that relief items so far received, including, 120 bags of rice, 199 bags of millet, 37 cartons of cooking oil, five packet of roofing nails, 10 packets of roofing sheets, 140 lanterns, some plastic plates and cups are given to those severely hit.
The DCE said that if the tents do not arrive on time, the situation could result in loss of lives
Mr. Emmanuel Chegeweh, the Kassena NanKana DCE, lamented over the fact that not much could be done to relieve the pain of the victims as the rains have not ceased, adding that it is not adding that it is not possible to start rebuilding now.
He however said that the assembly has voted ₵42 million for immediate procurement of relief items and also procured chloride to disinfect the wells, dams and boreholes to ensure that the people drink whole some water.
