The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey has demonstrated government’s commitment to supporting persons affected by the recent floods with the distribution of relief items to affected communities – an exercise being coordinated by the National Emergency Response and herself.
As a member of the committee constituted by the President to oversee relief efforts, the Minister met with the Director-General of the NADMO, Greater Accra Regional Minister and other government officials at the NADMO warehouse for the official handover of relief supplies to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies for onward distribution to affected communities.
Speaking to the Media, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey assured flood victims that government remains fully committed to ensuring that every affected person receives the needed support. She explained that the relief exercise forms part of a coordinated national response to provide immediate assistance to individuals and families displaced by floods while government simultaneously pursues long-term interventions to reduce the impact of future disasters.
The Minister disclosed that the relief items including bags of rice, mattresses, blankets, cooking oil, toiletries and other essential supplies are being distributed with priority being given the most vulnerable, including children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities. She further noted that government is making arrangements to support families who lost loved ones in the disaster and will continue to monitor the situation to respond to emerging needs.
Beyond the immediate relief intervention, the Minister indicated that government will leverage existing social protection interventions, particularly the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty to support vulnerable households affected by the floods. She explained that the Ministry will work closely with relevant agencies to assess the needs of affected families to determine appropriate support under existing social protection mechanisms to aid their recovery.
In addition to government’s relief support, Hon. Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in her capacity as a Minister, donated assorted relief items to the Ga East Municipal Assembly to complement ongoing humanitarian efforts.
The donation, presented on behalf of the Minister by the Director of the Social Protection Directorate of the Ministry, Madam Francisca Atuluk comprised toiletries, washing powder, sanitary pads, disinfectants and other essential household items to support families affected by the floods within the municipality.
Receiving the items, the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Faustina Elikplim Akurugu, expressed her profound appreciation to the Minister, describing the donation as a demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable. She assured that the items will be distributed fairly to those most in need.
Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey reaffirmed government’s commitment to standing with flood victims beyond the emergency phase, stressing that while the relief items provide immediate assistance, social protection interventions such as the LEAP will play an important role in helping vulnerable households rebuild their lives.
She assured the public that the Ministry will continue working closely with NADMO, MMDAs and other stakeholders to ensure that no affected person is left behind.
