The CRR Flood Disaster

The flood disaster that has caused considerable damage in the Central River Region (CRR) is a confirmation that too much of everything is bad. While modest rainfall is desirable for farmers, too much of it achieves the exact opposite, as people in Njau Sey Kunda, Njau Woloff, Bantato Ker Isaab, Bantanto Ker Waka, the Battis and Ker Ggalajo have just realized.

The inhabitants of these villages in the CCR on Monday night experienced excessive rainfall that continued long into the night, leaving in its wake untold destruction: 200 houses collapsed; 150 bags of rice were destroyed; 60 sheep and 50 goats died in addition to the destruction a large quantity of clothes, mosquito nets and bed sheets. For provincial people, the loss of 60 sheep and 50 goats is a catastrophe. It is so because it not only represents a loss of revenue but it is a threat to their existence.

Fortunately, no life was lost in the flood disaster on that Monday night. But when someone lost all his/her sources of income, then the worst could be feared. As expected, the flood disaster has led to a humanitarian crisis, with some of the displaced people now living in school classrooms. This is pathetic. It is at times like this that our common humanity should be demonstrated by lending a happy hand to the victims of this flood disaster.

We have to commend the Governor of the CRR for his prompt response to the flood disaster. In quickly issuing a press release to draw national focus on the calamity that befall his people, he has shown a presence of mind that is required in effective leadership. The next challenge is for him to harness the support that would soon be pouring in for the benefit of the flood victims.

He needs all the support he can get to rehabilitate the victims and their family members. The victims need to be housed, fed and clothed. Individuals, organizations and communities have to show solidarity by giving the little they can give. But the Disaster Management Agency should be the rally point of solidarity in this troubling time for the CRR flood disaster victims.

“In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments – there are consequences”.

Robert Greene INGERSOLL