Following the torrential rains that battered parts of the country, the European Union has mobilised €50,000 (GH¢306,000) to provide immediate assistance to the most affected families.

The heavy downpour resulted in the loss of life, displacement of people, and caused damage to houses and farmlands.

A statement from the EU office in Ghana said the funding would support the Ghana Red Cross Society to deliver much-needed relief assistance to communities hit by floods.

“It is part of the EU's overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC),” the statement said.

Through this assistance, communities are to be provided with shelter, access to clean water, mosquito nets, and basic essential items, amongst others.

At the beginning of October 2019, Ghana registered continuous rains that caused widespread flooding across the country, combined with separate floods that hit the Upper East and West regions due to the overflow of the Bagre Dam in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

In total, 116 communities from 13 districts have been negatively affected.

It is reported that as many as 29 people lost their lives in flood-related incidents, some houses collapsed and others have been extensively damaged.

Crops have also been swept away and agricultural land has become swamped.

People who lost their homes are currently being given shelter in nearby schools, churches, or with relatives.

Meanwhile, most of the water sources in the flood-hit areas have been contaminated, while sanitation facilities have been destroyed, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.

The statement said support will be given to awareness-raising activities in communities on the prevention of waterborne diseases.