Ofoase (E/R), May 8, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has donated relief items to flood victims in communities near Birem and Pra Rivers in the Akyemmansa District of the Eastern Region.

The beneficiary communities include Paawudu, Nseseadwona, Chia and Kotokuom which received 30 packets of roofing sheets, 230 pieces of mattresses, 250 pieces of blankets, four bales of used cloths, 200 pieces= of Wellington boots, 50 bags of rice, 20 bags of beans and 20 bags of maize. Other affected communities Nyamebekyere, Asabedie, Adjobue and Asubo= a would receive the second batch of relief supplies at a later date.

Mr Tom Budu, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akyemmansa said the Assembly was committed to sustainable economic growth in the in the area. He said "We are convinced that the current crisis can act as a catal= yst for much needed policy reform, generating environmental, employment and economic gains. It is this in mind that the government through NADMO had made the donation to the victims."

It would be recalled that sometime in June 2009, a heavy downpour flooded the two major rivers, which caused serious disaster that hit more=

than 12 towns and villages. Buildings collapsed and personal belongings including cash were taken away by the flood. The DCE stressed that the Assembly was currently taking steps to strategize and ensured that uncoordinated development that had gone on in=

some of the affected communities over the years paved way for rapid expansion in development projects to better the living standards of the people.

He urged the youth to stay at home and use their energies and enthusiasms to serve their communities. Mr Justice Anakwah, Akyemmansa District Coordinator for NADMO educat= ed the people on man-made and natural disasters and advised them to desist f= rom building their houses along water ways as well as guard against bushfires= .. Mr Evans Asante, Assembly member for the area thanked government for=

the relief items.

According to him, Paawudu Community has a population of about 500 people, which cultivated large hectares of cocoa, palm fruits, local rice=

and vegetables and that it was unfortunate that the area alone recorded 2= 50 disaster victims. He called for the banning of group fishing with chemicals in the Pra=

River. 8 May 10