DAVID A. YATES
Africa-Press – Liberia. ECOWAS, through its humanitarian department, symbolically presented a total of US$440,465 to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in response to floods in Liberia, particularly to assist those most affected in the country.
This ECOWAS funding will be directly implemented by the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) and will deliver much-needed relief assistance, including water, sanitation, health, psychosocial support, and health promotion activities.
The humanitarian aid will directly benefit a population of 9,680, representing 1841, who had their homes destroyed as a result of floods.
It can be recalled that devastating floods, triggered by heavy rainfall and poor drainage systems, recently ravaged several homes in some counties across Liberia, displacing and adversely affecting the lives of around 9,680 individuals.
Nevertheless, this natural disaster at the same time further left countless families homeless, with their livelihoods decimated and their basic needs compromised.
But recognizing the urgent need for assistance, ECOWAS, an esteemed organization committed to promoting economic integration and regional cooperation among its member states, swiftly activated its disaster response mechanism.
Through its intervention, Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS special Representative to Liberia, declared that the commission decision is intended to help alleviate the suffering faced by these flood victims and support the efforts of the Liberian government to rebuild affected communities.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 27, during the exchanges of the document at her office, Nkrumah stressed that the comprehensive approach is also designed to address both short-term needs and long-term rehabilitation efforts, laying the foundation for the affected communities to regain stability and rebuild their lives.
According to her, “In order to translate the ECOWAS of the people into the lives of the people, the ECOWAS Commission took the position to support flood victims, and carefully selected member states whose citizens had been displayed lost their property and sometimes their lives as a result of flood. We’re here in Liberia and aware of some of the challenges we had following the flood.”
As part of this process, Nkrumah said, ECOWAS requires individual member states in the ECOWAS Community to identify implementing partners who, on behalf of the disaster management agencies of various national member states, will implement some interventions that ECOWAS will provide.
“Here in Liberia, the NDMA identifies the Liberia National Red Cross Society as the implementing partner.” She continued. “As a result of that, ECOWAS, after celebrating with the NDMA, came up with the total amount of US$440,465 to support the devastation that has followed these floods, and in pursuance of this support, we signed the project cooperation agreement.”
According to her, the comprehensive approach is also designed to address both short-term needs and long-term rehabilitation efforts, laying the foundation for the affected communities to regain stability and rebuild their lives.
She added that the fund was also a combination of so much negotiation and discussion between the ECOWAS Commission through their humanitarian department and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in Liberia.
The ECOWAS Special Representative to Liberia noted that in the last few years, the commission has observed that natural disasters, specifically floods, have become one of the most critical concerns and issues facing our member states.
“And the flood that we see is increasing in nature; there are devastating and displayed citizens internally, and of these, they do not offer well for ECOWAS and the standing of ECOWAS of the people,” Nkrumah asserted.
She added that the Commission remains committed to working with the Liberian government for the betterment of the country, urging both the NDMA and LNRCS to ensure that the funds are used for its purpose intended for.
“As I earlier indicated, the LNRCS is the implementing partner, and therefore the funds that ECOWAS has provided for disaster management in relation to floods will be deposited in the account of the LNRCS,” Nkrumah said.
Also speaking, NDMA Executive Director, Henry O. Williams lauded ECOWAS for the funds, which he described as timely, promising that his team will work closely with the LNRCS aim at ensuring that the targeted victims benefit.
“This, Williams stated, shows that the ECOWAS donation not only demonstrates the organization’s sincere commitment to standing in solidarity with its member states but also highlights the regional unity and collaboration that underpins its very foundation.”
For his part, the Secretary General of the LNRCS, Gregory T. Blamoh assured both the ECOWAS and NDMA for his institution’s fullest commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability during the distribution process.
Blamoh indicated that as the affected communities in Liberia embark on the long and arduous journey of recovery and reconstruction, the timely assistance provided by ECOWAS serves as a symbol of hope, sending a message that, in times of crisis, the region will come together to support those in need and empower them to rebuild their lives and communities.
“With ECOWAS and NDMA working hand in hand, the future holds the promise of a stronger, more resilient Liberia, better equipped to tackle the challenges that lie ahead,” he added.
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