By Michael Pepsin Avorgah
Agavedzi (V/R), Oct. 1, GNA – The Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) has launched its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) relief operation, to support 350 vulnerable households affected by the June 29, 2026, floods in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.
The relief operation is being supported through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society’s (IFRC) DREF and seeks to provide targeted humanitarian assistance to households identified through vulnerability-based assessment.
Mr Gershorn Koffi Dzokoto, the Regional Manager of the Ghana Red Cross Society for the Volta and Oti Regions, said the June 29 flooding followed heavy rainfall that affected several communities in the Municipality and formed part of a wider flood situation in the Volta Region.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that preliminary assessments by relevant stakeholders indicated that more than 4,000 people were affected, while over 2,000 households experienced varying degrees of impact.
He said the impact included displacement, damage to homes and household property, disruption of livelihoods, and contamination of water sources.
Mr Dzokoto said following the disaster, the Ghana Red Cross Society engaged relevant authorities and communities to assess the humanitarian needs and determine appropriate support.
He said the DREF intervention was designed to complement efforts by the Government, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ketu South Municipal Assembly, traditional authorities, communities and other humanitarian actors.
The relief items included cooking utensils, gallons, hygiene kits, and Veronica buckets for affected households and institutions.
Mr Wilson Dordzi, the Regional Chairman of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Volta Region, said the intervention demonstrated the importance of partnership in responding to the needs of flood-affected communities.
He said the Society appreciated the support and collaboration of the Municipal Assembly, NADMO, community leaders, volunteers, IFRC and other stakeholders in preparing for the distribution.
Mr Dordzi commended Red Cross volunteers and field teams for their work in identifying needs, engaging communities and preparing for the distribution.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the assistance reached the intended beneficiaries in a transparent, impartial and dignified manner.
Dr Eric Gregory Kwatia, the Secretary General of the Ghana Red Cross Society and IFRC Country Coordinator, said volunteers had been gathering data on the affected persons and working closely with NADMO since the disaster.
He said the Society was committed to supporting affected communities regardless of their social status, in line with the humanitarian principles of the Red Cross.
Dr Kwatia urged beneficiaries to use the items for their intended purposes and not sell them.
Mr Clement Agbotey, the Ketu South Municipal Organiser of the Ghana Red Cross Society, said the organisation, together with NADMO, assessed affected households after the disaster and compiled reports to guide the relief intervention.
He said households in Blekusu, Agavedzi, Huime, Hatsukope, Kodzi Agbogbome, Sokladzi and other affected communities would also benefit from the relief operation.
Mr Agbotey said 10 Veronica buckets had also been provided for distribution to schools and healthcare centres in the Municipality.
He expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would put the items to good use and urged residents to avoid building on waterways and indiscriminate dumping of waste to help reduce the risk of flooding.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to the GNA expressed gratitude to the Ghana Red Cross Society and its partners for the assistance.
Madam Agbashie Apediavu, a beneficiary from Blekusu, said she lost livestock and other valuables to the floods.
Although the relief items could not replace everything she lost, she said the support gave her hope that people cared about the affected communities.
Another beneficiary, Madam Babana Amewornor, said she did not expect to receive the items and was grateful that the Red Cross remembered her among those who suffered heavy losses.
She thanked officials of the Ghana Red Cross Society and its local volunteers for the support.
The Ghana Red Cross Society said it would continue to monitor emerging humanitarian needs and strengthen collaboration with local authorities and other response partners to support affected communities.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo