By Precious D. Freeman
The Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Ansu Dulleh, is alarming that over 40 communities across Montserrado, Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties were hit by unprecedented flood during the rainy season, with the most recent occurring on June 28.
According to him, the situation has affected more than 48,000 persons and claimed the lives of two while homes have also been severely damaged alongside critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.
He added that women, children and the elderly are the majority of the affected while the scale of the flooding is unlike any that has ever been witnessed.
“The systems of the NDMA are overwhelmed and cannot address all the competing needs associated with this crisis. We call on our partners, both local and international, to support the NDMA in addressing the needs of the affected population,” he lamented.
“An estimated 100,000 more people are at risk of flooding, windstorms, and coastal erosion, with incidences of water-borne diseases also expected to rise. According to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2020-2024 for Liberia, the country has limited resilience and adaptive capacity to combat the effect of climate change,” NDMA boss said.
He emphasized that with the rainy season not yet halfway through, the compounded emergencies, mass displacement, injuries, deaths, damaged homes and public buildings, and heightened health risks are expected to worsen in the coming days and weeks.
He however mentioned that the NDMA, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Community at large, are working together to address the threats to the health, livelihood, safety, and security of the affected people and others at risk.
Mr. Dulleh noted that NDMA needs US$10 million to provide lifesaving food and non-food assistance to address the emergency needs of the affected people.
The National Disaster Management Agency is the lead agency responsible for coordinating disaster management operations, especially during and after a disaster, as established in the NDMA Act.
It can be recalled recently that several residents in Monrovia and its environs including Brewerville, are reeling from the devastating effects of a recent flood that has left several families homeless and in desperate need of assistance.
The flood, which was caused by heavy rains that have been pounding the country for the past few days, swept through the area with incredible force, entering in residents’ homes, shops or stores within the community leaving residents unable to leave their property.
However, the floodwaters is yet to dry since the falling of the rain and some homes have been completely destroyed, with others being filled with water, leaving families with no place to live, and roads also leading to these homes have been washed out.
The residents furthered that they are still struggling to cope with the aftermath of the flood, with their homes destroyed and their possessions lost, and are now facing an uncertain future.
Meanwhile, as the affected residents begin the long process of rebuilding their lives, they are calling on the international community including other humanitarian organizations and the government through the National Disaster Management Agency to lend a helping hand.
