More than 2,000 residents in Samreboi in the Western Region have been displaced after severe flooding destroyed homes, personal belongings and disrupted livelihoods in the community.
The floods, caused by days of heavy rainfall, have left many residents homeless and relying on limited relief supplies while awaiting support from government and humanitarian organisations.
Victims say they have lost almost everything and are facing difficult living conditions.
One displaced resident, holding back tears, described the devastation.
“I don’t even know where to go. My only option is to stay with others. Please, I need help. All my belongings are destroyed, including my clothes. Look at the clothes I’m wearing. The government should please come to our aid,” the resident appealed.
Another victim said, “the gari and fried fish being shared are too small to satisfy us. We need help.”
The floods submerged homes, shops and farmlands, affecting livelihoods and forcing many residents to seek temporary shelter in schools, churches and relatives’ homes.
Local authorities and disaster management officials have started assessing the damage as calls grow for urgent support, including food, clothing, clean water and shelter for affected families.
During a visit to the community, the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, blamed the recurring floods largely on human activities, especially illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, environmental destruction caused by illegal mining is worsening flooding in the area and threatening the livelihoods of residents.
“We have to be careful, and if something has to be done, government will always take the lead, but the people themselves must also be part of the solution,” he said.
The Minister also expressed concern about what he described as increasing public indifference towards environmental destruction.
“It has become a norm that when things happen in communities, people look on unconcerned. They don’t talk about it and they don’t speak against it,” he noted.
Reflecting on the area’s environmental decline, he added, “Many of you here, growing up, saw how the canal used to be. We used to fish in it, travel on it and enjoy all the benefits it provided. Today, those benefits are disappearing because of our actions.”
Residents are now appealing to the government, corporate organisations and individuals for support as they work to rebuild their lives after the disaster.
