What began as a flood disaster has turned into a humanitarian crisis in Samreboi, as relentless rains continue to pound the notorious galamsey community in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region, worsening the plight of hundreds of displaced residents.
More than 24 houses have reportedly collapsed under the force of the floodwaters, with several others completely submerged. In some parts of the community, the muddy waters have risen above the height of buildings, leaving only rooftops visible and turning entire neighbourhoods into a vast lake.
The situation has been compounded by continuous rainfall from Friday through Sunday, frustrating efforts by residents to salvage their belongings and recover from the initial devastation caused by last week’s downpour.
Families who had sought refuge in schools and churches after being displaced have been dealt another blow as floodwaters invaded some of the temporary shelters, forcing many victims to move again in search of safety. Children, nursing mothers and the elderly have borne the brunt of the disaster, with many left stranded and uncertain about where their next meal or a safe place to sleep would come from.
Residents say the destruction has left them helpless as years of hard work and investments have been washed away. Some families have lost virtually everything, including household items, food supplies and personal effects.
The scale of devastation has heightened calls for urgent humanitarian assistance and long-term measures to address environmental degradation blamed largely on illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, which residents say have altered natural waterways and increased the risk of flooding.
Member of Parliament for Amenfi West, Eric Afful, visited the affected communities to assess the extent of the destruction and commiserate with victims. He assured residents that efforts would be made to mobilize support for displaced families and called for immediate intervention to alleviate their suffering.
Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), led by the Municipal Chief Executive, Priscilla Yorke, have also been on the ground coordinating relief efforts, although many victims say more support is urgently needed.
With the rains showing little sign of abating, anxiety is mounting among residents who fear that the disaster could worsen in the coming days. For the people of Samreboi, Aboi, Kokoase and Palazzo, survival has become the immediate priority as they confront one of the worst flooding disasters in recent memory.
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