Maga Flood Victims Receive Presidential Compassion

All roads in the Mayo Danay Division of the Far North Region led to the resettlement camp of Farahoulou, a neighbourhood in Guirvidig, Maga Sub Division, where President Paul Biya and wife Chantal flew in to personally express their sympathy following the unfortunate catastrophe of August 13.

Over 10,000 people witnessed the compassionate visit during which the Presidential couple combed the nooks and crannies of the resettlement camp listening and talking to victims and all those who have so far contributed in one way or the other in assisting the victims. Actions readily translated the concern the Head of State has for the victims who have lost their homes, property and family members.

The population that thronged the resettlement ground where over 2,600 victims are presently lodged in tents, was filled with satisfaction to receive the Presidential couple even though the event by its nature would have rather required a complete atmosphere of sympathy. That notwithstanding, it wouldn't have been otherwise considering that in African tradition even death ceremonies are marked by dancing and eating.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the visit was the content of the Head of State's declaration, described by many as rich, dense and rekindling of hope. The words of empathy delivered after visiting the victims and the structures put in place to ease their stay in Guirvidig, unequivocally streamlined the President's plan of action in the short, medium and long run. The Head of State in his declaration could not remain indifferent to the difficult times the population has gone through during the flood. "The hurdles you have gone through are painful and even tragic", he said, congratulating them for their courage.

"My presence here illustrates the will to confirm that the government is behind you and shall be with you", he assured. To those who have lost their family members, he addressed his sincere condolence and that of the whole nation.

Concrete Action

The touching news of the displacement of several thousand people received immediate action from the country's number one citizen. "As soon as I was informed, I gave instructions for urgent measures to be taken. I equally dispatched government and party special missions to transmit my message of comfort and to evaluate the situation", he said. This, however was not enough of sympathy as the Head of State accompanied by his wife deemed it necessary to go down to the field to share in the feeling of the victims and to personally assess the gravity of the problem.

The reaction of the Head of State and the measures taken readily translate the gravity of the catastrophe. As he rightly expressed fears in his declaration, the consequences could be far reaching considering the massive destruction of food crops and livestock. "Food security may be compromised as well as the health of several thousand people", he said. In spite of all that has been done by the government, national and international partners to whom he heartily expressed gratitude. President Biya announced that he had instructed government to disburse FCFA 1.5 billion as emergency aid. That notwithstanding, he prescribed certain short and medium term measures including the construction of a combined dike and road measuring 330 kilometres and stretching from Gobo to Kousseri and the rehabilitation of the Maga and Lagdo dams.

In the same vein, he said he has instructed that the damages caused by the flood including houses, schools, road network and other infrastructure be assessed in view of their reconstruction and rehabilitation. " I have decided to put in place at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation a support fund for the victims of natural calamity", he said. Even though natural catastrophes are unpredictable, he called on Cameroonians not to remain passive before a phenomenon which is permanent and omnipresent. On the basis of this, he called on the Civil Protection Department to update the inventory of risk zones and propose adequate actions in order to limit the consequences as much as possible in the event of any such catastrophes. He equally called on competent authorities to reinforce at all levels and in a regular manner information on meteorological variations in order to enable the population possess valuable information on climatic changes.