Japan donates to disaster victims

The Japan Embassy has donated relief items worth 8.5 million Yen ($ 70,000.00) to National Disaster and Management Organisation (NADMO) to support victims of the June 3 flood and fire disasters in Accra.

The items include 4,475 blankets, 25 generators, 30 plastic sheets, and 320 sleeping bags were donated through the Japan International Cooperation Agency in response to a request from government.

Mr Kaoru Yoshimura, Ambassador of Japan who presented the items said official records indicate that 160 lives were lost while more than 53,000 persons were displaced from their homes.

He expressed his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives.

Mr Kaoru said although Japan had suffered many natural disasters like the East Japan earthquake, which resulted in a tsunami that claimed thousands of lives in March 2011, the country was able to rise above the disasters with the help of well-meaning countries like Ghana.

“We are therefore determined to support Ghana in this time of need by donating these relief goods to the victims of the disaster,” he said.

The Ambassador noted that he is expecting Ghana to be a “build back better” country by building a society that is more resilient to disasters as was proposed by Japan at the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, in March 2015.

“It is my hope that today’s donation will contribute to improve the current state of those affected by the flood and fire and motivate Ghana to become better built country.

“It is also my desire that steps will be taken to avoid future loss of lives in the unforeseen event that another rainstorm occurs in Ghana.”

Mr Mark Woyongo, Minister of the Interior, who received the items on behalf of the victims, expressed gratitude to Japan for taking the wellbeing of the victims into consideration.

Mr Woyongo said it would be profitable to the country if Ghanaians learn from Japan in terms of disaster management.

Brigadier General Francis Vib-Sanziru, Acting National Coordinator of NADMO assured the Ambassador that the items would be distributed for its intended purpose.