More than 50 residents of Appiatse have been left stranded once again after a heavy rainstorm destroyed tents in the Appiatse Relief Camp on Friday.

The torrential rains accompanied with strong winds demolished parts of the makeshift settlement used by families whose houses were destroyed by the recent explosion.

Following the explosion that killed 13 people, government with the support of stakeholders put up the Odumase Relief Camp, where the residents had been staying until the Friday downpour disrupted their lives.

According to some of the residents, the recent development is another threat to the health and safety of women and children at the Camp, adding that it will compound their trauma.

The incident happened about an hour after some members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy had paid a working visit to the scene of the disaster.

Vice Chairman of the Mines Committee, Elvis Morris Donkor, called for the judicious use of the resources received in a manner that will benefit the victims.

On his part, the Deputy Coordinator for the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Prestea-Huni Municipality, Louis Afful, called for an urgent support to restore the tents before the rains strike.

“Before the MCE and officials came here, NADMO even told them we need to work on new homes with immediate effect,” Mr Afful said.

Donations to Appiatse Support Fund

Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor, observed that the support and love people showed to the community when the disaster took place are gradually dying out.

He urged corporate entities and organisations to donate and help the people because their plights and challenges are not over yet.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee, Dr Joyce Aryee, says the over ¢35 million received as donations to the Appiatse Support Fund is not sufficient to rebuild the community.

According to her, although more money is needed, the Committee is still grateful to all contributors for their enormous contributions so far.

Addressing journalists in Accra last week, Dr Aryee said “this amount notwithstanding, we are far from reaching what we would call sufficient funds. This is because the extent of damage to the Appiatse township cannot be overemphasised and this amount raised so far will not be adequate.”

She also stated that the money collected does not include the $5 million fine placed on Maxam Company by government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

“We are still insisting on our hashtag: “Obiara entuabi” which means ‘everyone must pay’, to enable us to make this project a reality.

“Monetary contributions may be deposited in the name of APPIATSE SUPPORT FUND at GCB Bank account number 1011130036123 or Stanbic Bank account number 9040009974967.

“We also encourage you to kindly send your donations through MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo to G-Cash short code *422*530# or Stanbic short code *718*25*096#,” she appealed.