ECOWAS representatives meet in Lomé to discuss post-floods response in the sub-region

Security

Wednesday, 14 June 2023 11:22

ECOWAS representatives meet in Lomé to discuss post-floods response in the sub-region

(Togo First) - Several civil protection officials of the ECOWAS member States are meeting in Lomé this week to discuss assistance mechanisms for the victims of floods that hit the region in 2022, as well as the regional food and nutrition crisis.

The officials are looking at an effective way to support and help the people affected recover, according to ECOWAS.

The heavy rains that hit several ECOWAS countries last year had a great impact on populations, farms, and livestock. They made things harder for those affected, who were already facing food insecurity, food crises, and climate change effects.

The ongoing meeting aims to determine priorities in the gap between emergency relief and sustainable recovery from floods in member States. Participants will also define how the ECOWAS can bolster support to these States, regarding flood resilience, within the framework of an integrated and multi-sectoral approach.

The meeting takes place in two parts. The first part will focus on the impact of the 2022 floods and ECOWAS’ post-flood strategy to help its States better support the victims. The second part (Thursday and Friday) will focus on the food and nutrition crisis, especially children's malnutrition, and ECOWAS’ efforts to mitigate the issues by improving food availability and nutrition.

The roundtable was opened by the Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Yark Damehame. The Togolese official, on the occasion, praised the initiative of the Directorate of Humanitarian Affairs of ECOWAS. The latter is a sub-regional body that plays a major role in supporting governments in their efforts to improve emergency management.

The Minister also highlighted that the region was hit by devastating rains that plunged vulnerable families into a deep crisis, killing many, ravaging properties, farms, and livestock, and displacing many people.

In Togo, last year’s heavy rains killed five (5) people, left 17 injured and affected 24,889 people–with 6,717 households and more than 2,098 hectares of crops devastated.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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