The United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Emergency Response has taken a significant step to aid the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the spillage of the Kpong and Akosombo dams. A specialized emergency data response tool has been deployed to support NADMO in collecting detailed data regarding the number of people displaced due to the dam spillage.
NADMO’s Deputy Director-General, Seji Saji Amedonu, explained that swift data collection and analysis have been challenging, hindering the timely response to the needs of affected individuals. As of the latest update, nearly 27,000 people have been displaced in nine districts spanning the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions, and this number is expected to rise as the situation continues to evolve.
A significant concern noted by Mr. Amedonu is that the majority of the displaced individuals are women and children, emphasizing the urgent need to address the specific requirements of these vulnerable groups.
To enhance the response efforts effectively, disaggregated data is essential for a proper assessment of the situation. NADMO faced challenges in collecting this detailed data until the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Emergency Response stepped in with a specialized data tool. This tool was initially developed during a similar exercise in the North and is now being used to capture accurate data related to the Akosombo Dam spillage crisis.
The goal is to conclude the data capturing process promptly, enabling NADMO and other stakeholders involved in disaster coordination to have the necessary information for guiding their response strategies.
The flooding has had a devastating impact, with many homes submerged, leaving residents displaced. Some have sought shelter in local schools on higher ground, while others are still awaiting assistance. There is a growing concern that the water levels may not recede soon, potentially necessitating the demolition of affected infrastructure.
Child Rights International, recognizing that a significant portion of the displaced population comprises children, is taking steps to provide school supplies for them. The organization estimates that nearly 10,000 children are among the 27,000 displaced individuals and hopes to ensure that they can resume their education once the government implements mechanisms for their return to the classrooms.
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