Babessi Flood Victims Receive Assistance

Elite of of the September 9 floods that destroyed some 59 houses and caused over 95 people from 26 families to go homeless. The elite led by His Majesty Fon Chafah of Bangolan were in Babessi with over 181 bags of rice, 40 bags of salt, bars of soap, sugar, umbrellas, litres of refined oil and school materials for school children.

The assistance was officially handed to the D.O of Babessi Sub-division, Ali Anogu with a message of comfort and encouragement for victims who are still grappling with the effects of the ugly floods. On-the-spot in Babessi, calm has returned but victims, most of who relocated with family members are suffering difficulties of accommodation and feeding because their food stuff and farmlands disappeared with the floods.

From the look of things, the floods took Babessi by surprise. It all started with heavy rains by 6.30 p.m and by 7 p.m on the fateful day, the Babessi quarters of Chui, Tounchuo and Mbaw were all buried in floods. It was against this backdrop that Fon Chafah mobilised elite and friends of Ngoketunjia Division to support victims in what he said was a mark of solidarity for a neighbouring village in difficulty.

He said it was also to support President Biya's compassion policy towards Cameroonians in pain. He saluted the prompt response of elite and friends like Prof. Paul Ghogomu, Prof. Uphei Chinje Melo, Moh Sylvester, Nchechuma Banla, the UNVDA, Hon . Banmi, Hon Nji Fidelis and HRH Nfor Tabetando, among others.

Meanwhile, the D.O of Babessi, appreciated the consignment of rice and school materials which according to him were "timely and a show of good neighbourliness". He said a commission is still evaluating damages in property and farmlands. While waiting, a medical team from the CBC health board organised free consultations and treatment in Babessi for flood-related diseases given that the floods cleared all toilets giving rise to sanitation and hygiene concerns. Nsambawei Tiove John and Nguenafon Aoubakar, both victims of the floods told CT that they lost farmlands, family apartments and chickens to the floods. Babessi is one of the 13 villages of Ngoketunjia Division.