Africa-Press – Liberia. On August 15, the United Youth for Peace, Education, Transparency, and Development in Liberia (UYPETDL) launched its emergency response program for flood victims in Montserrado County. The official unveiling took place in Zayzay Community, Paynesville City, and was attended by key government officials and development partners. Timothy Kpeh, the National Executive Director of United Youth, presented an overview of the initiative.
The program aims to support several flood-affected communities, including Zayzay Community, AB Tolbert Road, Kingdom Care, New Life, Kpanwehn, Gaza Community, Chocolate City, and Swagger Community.
Speaking at the event, Kpeh highlighted the important role of community involvement and the importance of addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene issues exacerbated by the floods.
Kpeh emphasized the organization’s commitment to aiding those in need despite resource limitations. He stated, “We are aware that the government does not have all the resources, but as citizens, we all need to contribute. United Youth is an organization that has been active in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector, providing safe drinking water and advocating for government action. When the flood issue arose, we reached out to our partners for support.”
According to him, the gesture is supported by Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) and Adeso.
The emergency response will include the distribution of hygiene kits, which contain essential items such as buckets, soap, and other cleaning materials. These kits are intended to mitigate health risks associated with floodwaters.
Additionally, the United Youth will collaborate with the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) to install hand pumps in homes that lack access to clean water.
“We are providing these hygiene kits because children are likely to play in the floodwaters, which poses significant health risks,” Kpeh added. “We will also work with the Disaster Management team to identify and support more beneficiaries.”
Ansu O. Dulleh, Sr., Executive Director of the Liberia Disaster Management Agency (LDMA), performed the official launch of the program.
Dulleh acknowledged the severity of this year’s flooding and called for community action to complement government efforts.
“This year’s flooding is expected to be worse than in previous years,” he warned. “We have put measures in place, but it is crucial for the community to help themselves before the government can fully step in.”
Dulleh addressed issues such as improper drainage and illegal construction on floodplains, stating, “We need to address the problem of drainage systems being blocked by community dwellers. We will also take action against houses built on waterways. If necessary, we will demolish such structures to prevent further damage.”
He praised the United Youth for their initiative, saying, “While they may not have the resources of larger organizations like the Red Cross or WFP, United Youth has stepped up to help in this situation. We need to support and monitor their efforts to ensure they are effective.”
In conclusion, Dulleh declared the program officially launched on behalf of the President of Liberia, expressing gratitude for the collaboration and support from various stakeholders. “On behalf of the President and the National Disaster Management Agency, I officially declare this program open and thank everyone for their commitment to this cause,” he said.
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