Presbyterian Relief Service spends €39,000 on Swedru flood disaster

The Presbyterian Relief Service and Development (PRSD) says it has so far spent 39,000 euros on victims of the flood that hit Agona Swedru and Nyakrom in the Agona West and Agona East districts two years ago.

Mr Emmanuel Ankamah, National Coordinator of PRSD, said this at a day’s Disaster Response Evaluation meeting they organized at Agona Swedru.

He said part of the funds received from donor agencies were used to train 25 disaster victims in batik, tye and dye, screen printing, soap and pomade making.

He said the PRSD had also given materials and training skills to 25 victims to enable them establish their small scale enterprises.

Mr Ankamah said over 50 people in the affected communities had been given capacity building, livelihood empowerment and gave education materials to schools.

Apart from human development programme to support the victims, PRSD donated relief items, exercise books, test books and printer to Agona West Municipal Office of NADMO.

Mr Ankamah said the rehabilitation of the victims was capital intensive and it would be difficult for the agency to take that challenge.

He appealed to NGOs, individuals, corporate bodies to come to the aid of the victims, adding that after two years of the disaster some victims are still living with friends and relatives.

Reverend Daniel Oppong Wereko, Executive Director of PRSD, cautioned people living along the River Akora to stop throwing rubbish and other garbage into it to avoid another catastrophe.

He appealed to the Agona West Assembly to solicit funds from foreign donors and financial institutions in the country to dredge the River Akora to avert future occurrence of the disaster.

Nana Esieni, Nifahene of Agona Swedru expressed regret that only two years after the flood, people have started building close to the River Akora and appealed to the Agona West District Assembly to take action.

Source: GNA