To Cope With Mounting Natural And Man-made Disasters
Photo of a presentation of small aid to victims of the 18th St. disaster when a wall collapsed
The National Disaster Management Agency says it has observed that government has been over stressed due to the lot of natural disasters and impact of the lives of the ordinary people. The agency’s Executive Director, Henry O. Williams said over the country people have been affected by the pandemic, rainstorm, flood, fire, sea erosion and others man-made disasters.
Mr. Williams was speaking recently, when the National Disaster Management Agency presented several items, including bags of rice, 20 mattresses, sanitation pads, and water containers to victims of the 18th Street disaster during the weekend.
“When we talk about disaster, it is an area that anybody who has the means or not must cater to the victims because these affect mostly ordinary people and make them poorer.”
“It is based on this back ground,” Mr. Williams went on, “ we ,as a government agency representing the Liberian people, have come to identify with in our little and say never mind on behalf the President George Weah.”
According to him, these are some of the reasons that the agency is appealing to the Legislature for an increment in the allotment in the national budget for National Disaster Management Agency to address the many disasters in the country.
“We are also appealing to line ministries and agencies that are working along with the National Disaster Management Agency to intervene quickly so as to ease the suffering of the affected people.”
He commended Jefferson Koijee, the Mayor of Monrovia City Corporation, Thomas Fallah, Representative of Montserrado County, District #5 and the leadership of the Coalition for Democratic Change for the thir assistance given to the victims of the 18th Street disaster.
Speaking on behalf of the affected people, the Chairman of the Disaster Committee of the Wisdom Disaster Community, Anderson Flomo, thanked the National Disaster Management Agency for identifying with the victims of the 18th Street disaster.
According to him, the disaster has seriously affected the victims because some of the people who died have to be taken distances away to their home towns and villages
“We are appealing to the government for assistance in the burial of some of those who died as a result of the disaster,” he said; adding: “ it is very regrettable that the owner of the property has not shown any concern that his fence has created disaster in the community.”
“We are also requesting the government’s intervention because the people who have died have left behind children who must be care for.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Wisdom Community, Daniel Wondee assured Mr. Williams that these items will be used for the intended purpose.
He thanked the National Disaster Management Agency for the presentation of the items and appealed for others who have not shown up to do so.
Mr. Williams was accompanied on the presentation of the items by of the National Disaster Management Agency and the ceremony was witnessed representative of the Monrovia City Corporation, leadership of the Wisdom Community, among others. Report by Augustine Octavius