"NEVER in my wildest imagination did I think that I will ever get a new abode to lay my head. After such an extensive damage to my structures during last year's floods, little did I know that someone will come to my aid. I am most grateful to the Ghana Red Cross Society and the International Organisation for Migration for this wonderful gesture." With these words, Madam Aweriga Akisiya, a woman aged over 80 thanked her benefactors for providing her with shelter. Madam Akisiya, a mother of six and 10 grandchildren, like many others in the Builsa District in particular and the Upper East Region in general, experienced the twinge of last years floods, which led to the collapse of many houses and loss of several lives. She is now a proud owner of a two-unit house constructed by the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Towards the end of 2007, the three northern regions suffered from serious floods never experienced in the history of the country in recent times. Many people died and property worth several thousands of cedis, including houses and foodstuffs, were lost. As expected, the floods brought serious humanitarian concerns to the population. Large tracts of farmlands were destroyed while many people were displaced. The GRCS, in line with its mandate of assisting disaster victims, moved into the affected regions to collect data on the affected people. The aim of the data collection was to map out danger zones for proper assessment of the number of victims. In addition to the provision of initial support in terms of food items to the displaced persons, the GRCS held discussions with some of its partners out of which IOM, a UN agency that has specialised in managing migration,decided to assist in the rehabilitation of displaced persons. Out of that friendship resulted the construction of 55 two-unit houses at Chuchuliga in the Upper East Region and Sugutampia in the Northern Region. The buildings, estimated at about $75,000 have now been completed and given out to the beneficiaries. Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Chuchuliga after inspecting the project, the Secretary-General of the GRCS, Mr Andrews Frimpong, said after a series of discussions with IOM, it was agreed that a number of houses should be built to replace the collapsed ones. He said at Chuchuliga, where more than 300 houses were destroyed, the two organisations provided 30 housing units while Sugutampia in the Northern Region had 25. Mr Frimpong pointed out that the aid was earmarked for the aged and vulnerable,widows, the blind and other physically challenged persons as well as women and children. He said the gesture was a demonstration of the organisation's commitment to alleviating the plight of persons affected by natural disasters. Explaining why Chuchuliga was selected over other communities, Mr Frimpong attributed the gesture to the commitment and leadership qualities exhibited by its chief, Naba Francis A. Asangalisa. "At the initial stages of the floods when we were distributing food and other items to the victims, the chief played a key role that was why Red Cross decided that if there was going to be additional support, then it should go to Chuchuliga," Mr Frimpong said. He expressed his appreciation to the Chief of Chuchuliga and his elders as well as members of the community for their support, co-operation and understanding, adding that without that assistance, the successes chalked up could not have been possible. For his part, the National Programme Officer of IOM, Mr David Ekow Appiah, said his organisation had taken it upon itself to support the vulnerable in times of need, stressing “I am prepared to work with the Red Cross in the future to bring relief to the people. He also expressed the hope that the assistance provided would go a long way to ameliorate the suffering of the people, especially with the onset of the rains this year. The Chief of Chuchuliga , Naba Francis Asangalisa, was grateful to the two organisations for the gesture. With the success story of Chuchuliga and Sugutampia, the Red Cross and IOM have made progress in their efforts to heal the wounds of the two regions. It is hoped that other humanitarian organisations would emulate their example to bring relief to the people who suffered serious damage as a result of the disaster.
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