The safe havens have become unsafe for disabled and vulnerable individuals in the flood-impacted areas in Volta.
Survival of the fittest has taken prevalence leaving the vulnerable with little to no bread.
Chaos has been witnessed at St. Kizito Senior High School, where residents have been jostling for relief items. Unfortunately, the current arrangements at the camp appear to lack provisions for the disabled, elderly, and vulnerable individuals in our society.
This recurring scenario leaves most physically challenged individuals feeling helpless. One other disabled individual said they simply cannot engage in the competition and secure these items for themselves, calling it a difficult task.
“I don’t know what to say, this is how it always goes on. And how can we as physically challenged persons go and compete for things like this? So any organization that is presenting the item, it means we should be given its own separately before an announcement is made. Because in situations like these, we cannot in any case join them and compete with them and take any item at all for ourselves. It is difficult.”
One other victim of this situation explained that those who are swift and assertive manage to secure their share, leaving them with nothing.
“When items are brought to this place, they are shared according to the number of houses that are found on the campus. If you are not quick, the ones who have been registered will leave you without a thing.”
Another individual also shared her experience which would have been worse but for the intervention of the Member of Parliament.
“I could not access any until Hon. Ablakwa personally gave me some. I could not access the relief items at all because we were unable to fight for the items when they came in. Most of these items finish without us getting some.”
NADMO Distribution Structure
The Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Mr. Seji Saji, has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to providing necessary assistance to all those, particularly vulnerable persons, affected by the floods. He indicated that the challenge lies with individuals who wish to distribute relief items independently, bypassing NADMO’s established distribution structure
“But we have a system and a structure in place to do the distribution even at their households. So we do distribution every other day to these groupings. And these groupings are all on the St. Kizito haven.
“So for example, St. Kizito has about 60 groupings that they do distributions to. So if somebody comes to do the distributions certainly you don’t know those who are the leaders of the groups. Two NADMO staff are attached to the safe havens. They have the data for distribution. The unfortunate incident that happened because it was not brought through NADMO.”
NADMO’s staff attached to the safe havens maintain data for distribution, ensuring that supplies reach those in need. In response to the specific needs of the disabled within the camp, NADMO has taken separate measures to deliver relief to them, acknowledging their unique circumstances and requirements.
“We have data on the disabled in the camp and we have sent some relief differently to them”, he added.
Meanwhile, Security Analyst, Kernnel Festus Aboagye, has expressed criticism of the government’s handling of the flood disaster victims in the aftermath of the Akosombo dam spillage by the Volta River Authority. He has voiced concern over the absence of a national disaster plan and the government’s initial response.
Kernel Festus Aboagye emphasized the need for a comprehensive disaster management plan. He pointed out that having strategies is not enough; a well-thought-out plan is essential for effective relief efforts. As of now, the government has yet to present a concrete disaster management plan.
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