As Locals Seek Government’s Quick Intervention
PHOTO: Some of the caterpillars in Karyata
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
SUAKOKO, Liberia- The caterpillar worms have extended their invasion of the central Bong County, spreading to Kayata destroying farms, forcing hundreds of inhabitants to flee their homes and contaminating water in Suakoko District.
Karyata has a population of about eight hundred inhabitants with sustainable farming being their main source of survival.
This Reporter has gathered that other residents from nearby towns and villages in the area have joined a mass departure so far this week to escape the caterpillar worms invasion in that region.
According to our correspondent, several farms and houses in Fuanmah district in electoral district #7, Bong County have also been affected as the result of a deadly army worms and is destroying crops and contaminating safe drinking water sources with their poisons.
In 2009, a state of emergency was declared by former Liberia’s President Sirleaf, after tens of millions of caterpillars swept through at least 80 towns and villages in district #4, Bong County.
The huge caterpillar epidemic in 2009 caused mass evacuation and crops destruction in the County.
Speaking with journalist in Karyata, the residents said for a week now they have been unable to sleep in peace due to the caterpillar worms’ outbreak.
The citizens are worried that if nothing is done to ease the situation, there will be serious food crisis in that part of the country.
Peter Mulbah, a resident of the town added, “The caterpillars have damaged our farms and even our water to the extent that they have come into the town. For the past two days, we have not gone on our various farms but just in the town. It’s very bad for us.”
The locals then appealed to humanitarian organizations to help them with biochemical and food.
When contacted, Bong County Agriculture Coordinator, Kollie K. Nah confirmed the existence of caterpillar worrms not just in Karyata, but Bong County as a whole.
According to Mr. Kollie Nah, they are gathering the requisite information to officially inform the ministry of Agriculture for prompt interventions as soon as possible.
He stated that Ministry of Agriculture will take the necessary actions to save the people Bong County very soon, despite the existence of the Coronavirus.