The Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES), a charity organisation of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, a Catholic-friendly Society, has expressed its sympathy and solidarity with the families who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods following the 29 June devastating floods that struck Accra, Tema and many coastal communities.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with every family mourning the loss of a loved one, and all persons struggling to recover from this disaster,” a statement signed by the Executive Director of MAREDES, David Yiridong Issaka, said.
The organisation said the flood was a reminder that the environmental calamity was no longer a seasonal emergency, but a national development challenge requiring “bold, coordinated and long-term action.”
“Climate change, rapid urbanisation, weak enforcement of planning regulations, encroachment on watercourses, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and poor environmental sanitation have combined to increase the frequency and severity of flood disasters in Accra and several coastal communities,” it added.
MAREDES
MAREDES commended the government, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana National Fire Service, health workers, security agencies, faith-based organisations, volunteers and community leaders for their rapid response and rescue efforts. Again, the organisation endorsed the government's commitment to provide relief, remove structures obstructing watercourses, strengthen enforcement, and pursue long-term flood mitigation measures.
However, MAREDES noted that forward-looking and effective mitigation measures were critical to addressing underlying risks and build resilience. Subsequently, it called on the government to strictly enforce land-use planning and environmental regulations, including preventing construction on watercourses and floodplains.
It also called for expanded investment in resilient drainage infrastructure, particularly in densely populated low-income communities. “MAREDES further calls on government through the Finance Ministry to remove policy bottlenecks to speed up the World Bank’s support to the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project,” it added.
Again, the organisation underscored the need for strengthening early warning and community preparedness systems through improved forecasting, public education and local disaster response teams.
Among other things, MAREDES recommended the establishment of a National Urban Disaster Recovery Fund to support rapid livelihood recovery for affected households, traders and small businesses. It further called for scaling up social protection programmes to prioritise women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations affected by disasters.
Relatedly, the group stressed the need for stakeholders to work collectively to promote community-led environmental stewardship, including regular desilting of drains, waste management, tree planting and protection of wetlands.
“MAREDES also calls on development partners, the private sector, philanthropic organisations, charitable foundations, faith communities, and all people of goodwill to support emergency relief and recovery efforts. The scale of this disaster requires a collective national response,” it added.
Assurance
The statement indicated that through its extensive nationwide network of Catholic parishes, Marshallan Councils, Courts, Regional Councils/Courts, volunteers and community partners, MAREDES was ready to support humanitarian assistance to affected families.
“MAREDES is open to working collaboratively with public institutions and humanitarian partners to deliver relief items, support vulnerable households and contribute to early recovery efforts in the hardest-hit communities using our network and experience,” the organisation added.
The group appealed to individuals, corporate institutions and development partners to support the humanitarian effort through donations of food, clothing, bedding, hygiene supplies, educational materials, medical supplies and financial contributions.
