By Fatima Anafu-Astanga, GNA
Zuarungu (U/E), Jan. 9, GNA – The
Presbyterian Church in collaboration with Act Alliance, a coalition of
protestant churches engaged in humanitarian Aid and headquartered in
Switzerland, have distributed relief items to one thousand victims of recent
floods in five districts of the Upper East Region.
The distribution, which is being undertaken
with the support of the Upper East Regional Red Cross Society and NADMO was
carried out in the Bolgatanga East, Builsa South, Bawku Central, Pusiga and the
Nabdam districts.
The items included 10 kg bags of rice, 50
boxes of 1 litre frytol oil, maxi bags of beans, 1,000 boxes of Key Soap, 1000
blankets and mosquito nets; and mattresses and basins at a cost GHC 331,000.
Reverend James Awuni, the District Pastor of
the Presbyterian Church, who spoke in an interview with the Ghana News Agency
at Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District, said the Presbyterian Church and
Act Alliance, believes in a holistic Ministry and this does not only refer to
the souls of people but their total individual wellbeing.
He said the experience of pregnant women and
lactating mothers who go through suffering after losing their beddings to the
rains amongst others was the reason why an assessment was conducted to select
vulnerable groups to provide them with needed items.
Reverend Awuni said the needs of flood
victims are enormous and they need support to live comfortable lives after
their trauma.
Mr Maxwell Akandem, the Upper East Regional
Director of Development and Social Services of the Presbyterian Church, prior to
the distribution of the items in each of the beneficiary locations, urged the
victims to think positive and not let the experience depress them.
Reverend Professor Emmanuel Abole Abugre,
the District Chief Executive, thanked the organization saying the assembly
would collaborate with benevolent organizations for more support to help the
people.
Mr Emmanuel Nyarko Ankomah, the Act Alliance
Ghana Forum Coordinator of Relief Services, said there is the need to help
communities who continuously experience annual disasters.
He said the Act Alliance would empower
people especially women with skills to enable them earn an income and improve
their lot.
Act Alliance operates in communities and
supports them to address systemic poverty, support in survivors of disasters,
wars and conflicts, train rural communities in sustainable agriculture
techniques and helps communities to adapt to climate change issues.
GNA
