Government has so far released an appreciable quantity of relief items to the Mion District Assembly in the Northern Region for onward distribution to over 700 rainstorm victims there.
The items include 10 pockets of roofing sheets, eight pockets of roofing nails, 30 bags of 25 kilograms rice, 50 bags of maize, 20 gallons of cooking oil, four bales of used clothing, 150 pieces of blankets, 100 pieces of mosquito nets and 200 buckets, 500 plates, 300 drinking cups, 30 boxes of soap.
Government response was based on the impact assessment report put together by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).
Data collated by the District NADMO officials aggregated the displaced persons as 108 male adults, 171 female adults, 203 male children and 219 female children.
Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna on a fact finding mission to the disaster scene handed the relief items to authorities of the Mion District Assembly.
He cautioned them against diverting the relief items and added that the distribution exercise should be depoliticized.
He called for the establishment of a committee to ensure judicious distribution of the relief items.
Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna further advised residents of there to plant trees as means of mitigating the impact of rainstorms.
The Mion District Chief Executive, Dan Mankandan commended central government for the rapid response.
He assured the regional Minister that the items will be distributed to the victims.
Dan Makandan appealed to philanthropists and civil society organizations to support the victims.
Northern Regional NADMO Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulai Silimboma emphasized the need for residents there to engage professional carpenters to roof their buildings.
He anticipated more rainstorms in the region during the rainy season, hence the need for people living in low land areas to get ready.
Over 700 residents in the Mion District were rendered homeless by the disaster which occurred Tuesday March 17.
As an orphan district carved out of the Yendi Municipality, the Mion District with Sang as the capital is grappling with infrastructural development.
As a major transit point between Tamale and Yendi, the Mion District Assembly’s Internally Generated Fund is limited because there are no businesses there.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana