As the rainy season continues, numerous communities, including Johnsonville, Soul Clinic, Du-Port Road, Doe Community, Clara Town, and Pipeline, are grappling with severe flooding.
With several months of rainfall still expected, Montserrado County and surrounding areas anticipate further hardship due to over-flooding.
The World Bank reports that approximately 70% of the city’s 1.5 million residents live in vulnerable wetlands or swamps.
Residents of Montserrado County’s District 4 are urgently appealing to the National Disaster Management Agency, humanitarian organizations, and Representative Michael M. Thomas for assistance to avoid starvation.
The floods have inundated their homes, destroying property and displacing residents since the rainy season began.
“We are at a loss because the water soaks our clothes, mattresses, and documents. When it floods our houses, it takes hours to dry, leaving our children hungry as we struggle to find food,” said several tearful flood victims.
Representative Thomas revealed that 18 out of 34 communities in his district are severely affected by flooding.
He provided initial assistance but is calling on the National Disaster Management Agency to bolster his efforts as the situation worsens.
Residents of the F-Sham community have urged Representative Thomas and the Ministry of Public Works to clear their drainages.
They also claim that a fence built by Andrew is causing their homes to flood by blocking the waterway.
“We call on Representative Thomas and the Public Works Minister to demolish structures built on waterways and compel Andrew to open his fence for water to flow freely,” said flood victims from District 4.
Flooding has forced residents to relocate as mud-built houses crack and water floods their homes through windows and floors. The Liberian government has warned residents, especially those in swamp areas, to prepare for worsening floods this year.
The government faces criticism for not enforcing zoning laws that prohibit building on waterways and blocking drainages with garbage, exacerbating flooding. Residents of Doe Community, Clara Town, Soul Clinic, and other areas are urging the Ministry of Public Works to clear drainages before the heaviest rains in July, August, and September.
They also called on the Liberia National Police to conduct midnight patrols to curb rising criminal activities saying, “We urge the government, NGOs, churches, and our representatives to provide zinc bundles, mattresses, bags of rice, and relocate us as we anticipate more heavy rainfall.”
On June 28, 2024, the Liberia Coast Guard rescued residents of Johnsonville-Kpelleh Town from severe flooding that nearly became fatal.
