The Kuwaití Horizons Charity Society from Kuwait has donated some relief items to victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage in Bator of the Mepe Traditional Area in the Volta Region.
The items included rice, cooking oil, sugar, assorted items, mattresses among others.
It would be recalled that on October 15, 2023, the operational capacity of the Akosombo dam was exceeded on account of rising water levels, as a result of an increased rate of heavy rains.
It became necessary for the Volta River Authority (VRA) to release water from the Akosombo Dam to prevent the dam from overflowing which, according to VRA, can lead to even more disastrous consequences.
However, this led to the high rising levels of the Volta River, and the water inflow flooded low-lying communities along the river with North and Central Tongu districts were the most hit in areas such as Mepe, Battor, Sogakope, Mafi, and Adidome; all in the South Tongu, Central Tongu, North Tongu, Shai Osudoku, Anlo, Ada East and Asuogyaman districts.
An estimated 35,857 people including children have been displaced as result and government is securing alternative residential facility for these people.
Their situation has received attention from several benevolent organizations who came, and continue to come to their aid with donations to help keep them going.
Among these organizations is the Kuwaití Horizons Charity Society, represented by Society for Education and Development (SED) in Ghana, visited the various camps in Bator to solidarize with victims and offer assistance by donating assorted items to victims.
Speaking in an interview during the visit, Director for SED and representative of the Kuwaití Horizons Charity Society, Sheik Aminu Osman said the Society has been touched by the devastating impact of the spillage on the various communities and people and in their small ways, decided to offer support.
He averred that, SED conveyed to its donors in Kuwait about the extent of damage on lives and properties and what the victims are going through and in the interest of humanitarianism, the Kuwaití Horizons Charity Society is making the donation.
According to Sheik Aminu Osman, their visit has also given them a much fairer idea of the real situation on ground, and the plight of the people.
This, he said, calls for more support hence, the Kuwaití Horizons Charity Society through SED, will consider other areas of support since this is not the only support the Society would be offering the people.
He promised to return soon with other packages which he believes will help the people solve their pressing needs.
Sheik Aminu Osman called on other benevolent organizations, philanthropists, and individuals to give towards a worthy course so as to make living meaningful for the victims.
The victims who received the items expressed gratitude to Kuwaití Horizons Charity Society for the support and said, it would go a long way to help.
The leader of the Agbetikpo camp in Bator, Mekporsigbe Alorse revealed that, donations from organizations and individuals have not been forthcoming.
“At the initial stage when the incident happened, we have been receiving support, donations from people and organizations but for sometime now, this has stopped coming. The situation is greatly affecting us; affecting our children’s education too. So, for us, we thank the Kuwaiti Charity Society for what they have given us today, and I will appeal on behalf of other victims, for more,” he said.
To date, the Akosombo dam spillage has displaced an estimated 35,857 people including children who are the most affected according to the UN in Ghana.
People have lost their belongings and livelihoods.
Schools in these flooded communities have been either destroyed or access to them is difficult.
Education is on halt for most children in these communities, and their only survival now is support from organisations and individuals.
By PROSPER AGBENYEGA