By Burnett Munthali
Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah has expressed deep concern over the impact of incessant rains that are continuing to destroy crops, wash away livestock, and damage houses, roads, and bridges in several parts of the country.
The situation is deeply saddening, according to Ansah, who noted that government had anticipated the rains and put in place preparedness measures aimed at reducing the effects of floods on communities.
Writing on her Facebook page, Ansah said government had strengthened contingency planning, intensified public awareness campaigns, pre-positioned relief items, and placed search-and-rescue teams on standby following early weather forecasts.
Despite these efforts, the damage caused by these rains is heartbreaking, as families are losing their livelihoods, homes, and sources of food across the country, Ansah wrote.
The Vice President said the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) is actively coordinating response efforts, including search and rescue operations, the establishment of emergency operation centres, and the deployment of security forces in affected areas.
Ansah has appealed to members of the public and development partners to continue heeding weather advisories and supporting affected communities, emphasizing that disasters require collective responsibility.
The heavy rains have hit 18 councils since December 22, affecting over 9,300 households, representing more than 42,000 people, with four deaths and 101 injuries recorded so far, while assessments are still ongoing.
The government’s response efforts are ongoing, with a focus on providing relief to those affected and mitigating further damage.
