56 deaths reported in flood disaster

Latest assessment gathered by the government on the death toll of the devastating Northern floods disaster have hit a record 56 in two months of torrential down-pour, Kwamena Bartels, Interior Minister has stated.

"As you are aware, Government's initial assessment provided us initial figures on destruction. The situation is still evolving and I present the updated statistics on the disaster. However, we should bear in mind that as Government continues to undertake further assessment these figures may change in the figure," Mr Bartels explained.

The floods have caused immense damage to the three already impoverished Northern Regions of Ghana. These include widespread human, material and environmental losses, and a decimation of population of the affected areas.

Mr Bartels released these figures when he briefed the media on the current disaster situation in the three Northern Regions at the 'Meet The Press' series in Accra yesterday.

According to him, 31 persons died in the Upper East Region, the most affected region; 15 in the Northern Region and 10 in the Upper West Region respectively.

The statistics on the disaster put the total number of displaced people at 332,548, the worst in recent times, with 100,703 in the Upper East Region, 228,812 in the Northern Region and 3,033 in the Upper West Region.

According to Mr Bartels, over 34, 336 houses were destroyed with over 15,069 in the Upper East, 18,167 in the North and 1,100 in the Upper West respectively.

This has caused thousands of affected persons to be temporary accommodated by relatives and friends, somehow mitigating the effects.

The government in its response to the disaster quickly constituted an Inter-Ministerial Task Force which is to serve as a strategic focal point to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to the management of the disaster.

"The Inter-Ministerial Task Force through the National Disaster Management Organisation has and continues to distribute emergency life saving relief items to the affected people," the Interior Minister mentioned.

Government has so far supplied four consignments of relief items and has additionally purchased 30,000 bags of cement, 15,000 packets of roofing sheets, 12,000 packets of roofing nails, 57,000 pieces of hardwood, 600 bales of used clothing, 90,000 pieces of polymats, 15,000 pieces of foam mattresses, and a host of other items.

According to reports, Government has released about GH?6.2 million for the acquisition of additional emergency items. Officials say this gesture has been complemented by the establishment of the National Disaster Relief Fund in which Government has deposited about GH?61 billion.

Kwamena Bartels says the general public?s response to the government?s call for support for the flood victims "have been very encouraging" as more individuals and organisations continue to donate to the affected people through the Task Force and NADMO.