Worst floods hit Liberia

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Liberia
Politics | Society | Environment - Nature
Worst floods hit Liberia
afrol News , 22 July - Residents in Liberia's capital Monrovia had been hit by what hasbeen the country's worst flood in history which was precipitated byintense and heavy rains, forcing more than a thousand people toflee their homes.
While canoes and makeshift vessels were used to evacuate hundredsof trapped people, some families could be seen hastily fleeing withtheir valuable household materials such as mattresses, cooking potsand clothes. The all Sunday heavy rains had partially left theentire neighbourhoods of Monrovia flooded and blocked roads in thearea.

Assisted by the Red Cross, Liberia's Ministries of Health andInternal Affairs has since been assisting in evacuating the floodaffected residents to safer locations, said Liberia's Chief MedicalOfficer Bernice Dahn. The government has not only temporarilyrelocated residents in nearby schools, it is also consultingseveral international aid agencies in the country on thecoordination of assistance to homeless people.

Jerome Nyenka, the Executive Director of Liberias EnvironmentalProtection Agency attributed the floods to the high level ofrainfall and "encroachment" of human habitations on wetlands. Hesaid the affected areas are swamps where structures have been builtthus preventing the flow of water.

The government has tasked the EPA and the Ministry Public Works toundertake an assessment to determine the cause of the floods andits environmental impact. Besides, the General Services Agency andthe Ministry of Internal Affairs have been directed to assess thelevel of assistance the government can render the victims.

Liberia's worst floods followed a warning by meteorologists thatthe entire West Africa region will likely receive above averagelevels of rainfall this year. Already, some countries in the regionhave registered high rainfalls.

The floods came as the West African country is planning tocelebrate its 161st independence anniversary on 26 July. On Sunday,President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf toured one of the affected areaswhere she had a first hand assessment and assisted victims withfood items and other needs.

Liberia's independence celebration will be graced by five formerAfrican heads of State, including Dr. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia andSam Nujoma of Namiba. The ex-leaders will engage members of theLiberian government - the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature - ininteractive sessions.

By staff writer