The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged over GH₵12 million in relief items to support communities and families impacted by the June 29 floods in Ghana. This substantial donation, representing a significant humanitarian effort, was formally presented at the headquarters of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Accra.
The assistance, comprising food, rice, drinking water, blankets, and sleeping mattresses, was delivered in a symbolic manner to some flood-affected victims within the Circle enclave, marking a crucial demonstration of immediate aid reach. A NADMO warehouse was instrumental in packaging the items for distribution to affected communities and families.
The relief items were procured in Ghana, directly supporting local businesses and bolstering the Ghanaian economy. This initiative follows the Government’s urgent appeal for international support to assist victims of the floods, which displaced nearly 90,000 people, affected close to 80,000 households, and resulted in the loss of approximately 34 lives. The flood event, triggered by heavy rainfall in June, devastated communities across the country.
The UAE intervention was informed by a Rapid Needs Assessment conducted with NADMO and humanitarian partners, which identified food assistance as the highest priority for 93 per cent of affected communities. Specifically, 13,000 food boxes, 20,000 rice packages, each containing approximately two to three kilogrammes of rice, 10,000 cartons of bottled water, exceeding 8,000 blankets, and more than 5,000 sleeping mattresses were procured.
The donation follows the Government’s commitment to supporting Ghana through investments, development operations, and humanitarian assistance. The UAE’s contribution is part of the broader Ghana-UAE partnership, aimed at bolstering the nation’s response to climate emergencies and facilitating the recovery of affected communities.
Mr Seidu Issifu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability at the Office of the President, stated that the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, had approved the Climate Emergency Resource Mobilisation Track to mobilize international partnerships for immediate relief, recovery, and long-term climate resilience. He described the UAE’s response as a remarkable demonstration of the enduring friendship between Ghana and the UAE.
He noted that the country had supported Ghana through investments, development operations, and humanitarian assistance. He also expressed gratitude to the UAE Ambassador to Ghana, Dr Abdulla Al Mandoos, the UAE Aid Agency, and other officials for responding to Ghana’s appeal within a short period. He commended the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, NADMO, and other government departments and agencies for coordinating the intervention.
Mr Issifu assured the UAE Government and people that the donation would be put to its intended use and reach the communities and families most affected by the floods. He also called on other international partners and agencies that had received Ghana’s appeal to support the country, emphasizing that climate change could not be addressed by one country alone. He said climate change cannot be fought by one person. He also said the UAE was committed to supporting Ghanaian communities affected by the floods and to facilitate their recovery.
Mr Rashid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Operations at the UAE Aid Agency, stated that the UAE believed that helping others in times of need was based on unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility. The UAE stood with Ghana and supported the national efforts to assist people affected by the floods and facilitate their recovery. He said the friendship between the two countries continued to grow.
Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister for the Interior, described the donation as a generous gesture of friendship at a time when countries across the world continued to face the devastating effects of natural and human-induced disasters. He said humanitarian assistance was not simply about the relief items but also about restoring hope and dignity to people affected by unfortunate circumstances. He said the Government and NADMO would ensure that the relief items were properly managed and delivered to the people and communities that needed them most.
Mr James Gyakyi Quayson, Deputy Minister for the Interior, expressed appreciation to the UAE Government and people for the humanitarian assistance. He said the gesture deepened the enduring friendship between Ghana and the UAE and would inspire greater cooperation between the two countries.
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Source: Adom Online
