Thousands of people affected by the devastating June 29 floods in Ghana will receive monetary assistance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This was made known in a Facebook post by UAE Times on Thursday, July 23. The UAE Aid Agency is responsible for organizing and managing the distribution of the relief assistance.

According to the post, the intervention has become possible following directives from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The intervention, announced in a Facebook post by UAE Times on Thursday, July 23, follows directives from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The relief operation is being coordinated through the UAE Aid Agency. The assistance from the UAE is expected to strengthen ongoing relief operations led by the Government of Ghana, NADMO, and other humanitarian organisations supporting affected communities and recovery efforts.Ghana on Monday, June 29, witnessed a series of flooding incidents in some parts of the Greater Accra Region following heavy rains. The rains, which started late on Sunday, June 28, left commuters stranded, brought traffic to a standstill, resulted in the deaths of several individuals and destruction of properties. The floods affected more than 131,000 people, displaced more than 131,000 people, claimed 45 lives and displaced nearly 40,000 residents.While some victims managed to salvage a few belongings, many suffered devastating losses as floodwaters submerged their homes and properties. The current death toll from the flooding incidents, as confirmed by the Ghana National Fire Service Public Relations Department, stands at 34. Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has realised a sum of GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund for individuals affected by the incident following President John Dramani Mahama’s directive.

The directive forms part of the government's response to the flooding of parts of Accra and other communities in the southern sector of the country after hours of unusually heavy rainfall.

In Ghana, the Contingency Fund is a constitutional fund set aside to meet urgent and unforeseen government expenses that cannot wait for the normal budget approval process.It is established under Article 177 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

In a statement issued on behalf of the President by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, it was indicated that the GH¢300 million will be divided into two, with portions designated to provide relief and implement measures to mitigate flooding.

“President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to release GHS 300 million from the Contingency Fund to finance urgent flood relief and mitigation efforts.GHS 150 million out of the amount will finance urgent relief efforts for flood-affected persons and communities in the southern sector of the country. Another GHS 150 million will be spent on flood mitigation measures aimed at reducing incidents of flooding,” parts of the statement read.Also, due to the scale of destruction and the effects of the floods, President Mahama has ordered that additional support be provided by the Ghana Armed Forces and other security services for the rescue operations ongoing across the city.

“The President has also directed the deployment of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces and Police to work with NADMO and other security services in the rescue and relief operations currently underway across the city,” adding that, “the President earlier today undertook an aerial tour of the flooded areas to assess the full extent of the situation and announced a raft of steps being taken to safeguard residents and prevent further flooding.”