Flooding displaces over 5,000 residents in Hohoe

Story by: Regina Bless

More than 5,140 residents have been displaced, while 412 houses have been affected by severe flooding in 11 communities in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

Preliminary figures from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) indicate that several buildings and structures have also been destroyed by the floodwaters, with Hohoe Zongo among the worst-affected areas.

The Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, said emergency response teams and security agencies have been deployed to evacuate residents from high-risk areas and assist displaced families.

Some affected residents are currently being accommodated in available facilities, including classrooms, as authorities work to secure additional temporary accommodation.

Relief supplies such as mattresses, blankets, rice, tinned fish and cooking oil have been distributed to some affected communities. The initial distribution has covered areas including Gbi Kledjo, Atabu, Kpoeta and parts of Hohoe Zongo, with more communities expected to receive assistance following verification by NADMO.

However, the MP says the support received so far is not enough to meet the scale of the disaster, and has appealed to individuals, businesses, organisations and development partners to provide additional assistance.

A Relief Distribution Committee has also been established to ensure that relief items are distributed fairly and according to the verified needs of affected households.

Meanwhile, health authorities are taking steps to prevent disease outbreaks in the affected communities. Residents are being educated on safe drinking water, food hygiene, waste disposal and personal hygiene, while a comprehensive health screening exercise is expected to be conducted.

Although floodwaters have started receding in some areas, residents have been warned not to return to buildings until they have been assessed and declared safe.

Authorities say the focus is currently on emergency relief, protecting lives and supporting affected families as the municipality begins the process of recovery and reconstruction.