The European Union (EU) has earmarked €80,000 for flood preparedness in the Norther Region.
This is in response to warnings from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Meteorological Agency of increased rainfall and potential flooding in Northern Ghana,
In a statement, the EU outlined its commitment to assisting the five Northern Regions of Ghana in preparing for the looming flood risks. The funding will be directed towards various initiatives aimed at enhancing flood preparedness and response.
The key objectives of this EU funding initiative include: “Early Warning Mechanisms: The allocation will support the enhancement of early warning systems to ensure timely alerts and communication in the event of flooding.
“Risk Analysis and Monitoring: Up-to-date risk assessments and monitoring mechanisms will be established to gauge the evolving situation and inform response strategies.”
Also, “Anticipation and Mitigation Actions: The funds will be used to initiate actions aimed at mitigating and preventing the impacts of potential floods.
“Priority Actions and Response Preparedness: Identification of priority actions and preparedness plans will be developed to ensure an effective response in the event of a flood emergency.”
The EU emphasised the importance of this funding in reducing the vulnerability of approximately 50,000 people living in the Northern Regions of Ghana during the peak of the rainy season. It will target the areas of shelter, water, sanitation, and health.
The implementation of these initiatives will be entrusted to the Ghanaian Red Cross, enabling both anticipatory and early actions. The plan includes training volunteers, prepositioning response supplies for rapid deployment, early evacuation planning for high-risk areas, simulation exercises, and educational sessions on water-related diseases before the flood season.
The EU’s humanitarian assistance will primarily focus on the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions, collectively housing around 2,144,677 people. The support will be concentrated on areas where flooding could have severe consequences for agriculture and the economic resilience of riverbank communities.
The EU made it clear that this funding is part of its broader contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).