Catholic Relief Services assist Agona Swedru flood victims

Agona Swedru, Sept. 28, GNA - The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has given coupon vouchers valued at GH 70.00 Cedis to each of the 600 displaced persons at Agona Swedru in the Central Region. The award which was done in collaboration with the National Catholic Secretariat of Ghana and Cape Coast Archdiocese was part of a program aimed at aiding the 14,230 persons who were displaced as a result of the recent floods which hit parts of Agona East District on June 20.

The beneficiaries include those who are 65 years and above, nursing mothers, pregnant women, female and male single households holders, children under three years and the physically challenged. Mrs Lisa Washington-Sow, the CRS representative in Ghana, said the presentation of the money was in response to calls to assist the victims.

She said the money was meant to be used to purchase building materials, essential hardwares, food stuffs, clothing, mattresses and books for their children. Besides, the victims could use part of the money to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme. She explained that the funds for the program were provided by CRS Ghana, Burkina Faso, National Catholic Secretariat, St Anthony Catholic at Agona Swedru and Cape Coast Archdiocese. The beneficiaries were selected from the four main communities in the Municipality namely Agona Swedru Sabon Zongo, Salam, Nkubem and Desuenyi.

Mr John Lloyd Sackey, National Coordinator of the CRS, said every victim of the flood in June 20 was vulnerable but due to limited resources, the relief assistance was targeted to the most vulnerable groups, especially those domiciled in camps in various parts of the Municipality.

Mr Jacob Obeng-Forson , Agona West Municipal Chief Executive, expressed his appreciation to the donors and appealed to other development partners to come to aid of the victims. He noted that the voucher fair system was an excellent innovative approach which replaced the traditional food and other materials donations, adding that this could stimulate the local economy and help improve the lives of other people.