MONROVIA, July 15 (LINA) – The Office of the President of Liberia has established an emergency relief intervention program intended to alleviate the suffering of people affected by various types of disasters in the country.
The Presidential Disaster Response Program (PDRP), as the scheme is called, will work under the auspices of the National Disaster Management Agency to help protect against disasters that affect public health and safety, while reducing poverty in line with the government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.
The first phase of the PDRP’s work will focus on affected communities in Montserrado County, catering to a range of tragedies, including those affected by coastal erosion, flash and river floods and windstorm.
The first phase of the project targets more than 6,750 households in over 47 communities of affected people, said a statement from the presidency.
Beneficiaries will receive cash transfers for rent and business grants in cases of victims whose homes were completely damaged.
The grants will also help bring relief to affected businesses. Others will be given mattresses, zincs, nails, rice, clothing, death subsidies, amongst a host of aid.
The families of the five people that died on 18th Street in Sinkor following heavy rains are expected to receive death benefits totaling US$5,000.00.
The new scheme is a demonstration of the Weah-led Administration’s concern for the plight of ordinary people during this difficult period.
The program kicked off with a distribution of the listed items in New Kru Town, one of the targeted communities, on Monday, July 13. Other areas to form part of the first phase are West Point and the 18th Street (wisdom community).
The program is expected to impact the lives of over 117 houses, 566 households and 2,830 people in the three affected communities.
LINA PR/IAS/PTK
