LIBERIA: Flood poses health hazard to freeport community
By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – Freeport community on the Bushrod Island has always experienced flooding thus creating unbearable conditions for residents, pedestrians and motorists.
A resident Scooping water from his home
A room invaded by flood water in the Freeport community
Flooding in the Free Port Community in Monrovia
Some residents attribute the flooding to the poor manner in which drainages in the area were constructed, others blamed it on the construction of houses on the waterways, while some believe that the throwing of garbage in drainages is responsible for the flooding.
All of these factors mentioned above by the residents are major issues that could lead to the flooding in any area. As part of its activities under WaterAid Liberia /Sierra Leone, the WASH Reporters and Editors Network of Liberia is taking a microscopic look at sanitary conditions, especially in Montserrado county.
Entering the Free Port Community during the dry season, anyone would certainly embrace the community and feel at home, but during the rainy season the story is completely different.
The Exclusive Media Focus on Sanitation by WASH R&E is highlighting the plights of residents of the Freeport Community, their experienced due to flooding.
“Scooping water from our various homes whenever it rains, especially during this rainy season has become the order of the day in this community”, Tata Gray a resident added.
“This year, the issue of flooding is really different, because it started too early and at high level”, the Freeport community residents stressed.
The residents said the type of flooding experienced by the community is the first of its kind since the community was established about 40 years ago.
A lady in her early fifties informed the WASH Media Network that when it rains heavy water along with feces enter her rooms due to burst septic tanks in the area.
Madam Deddeh Snoh said, life is getting too unbearable for her and that leaving the area was the best option for now.
Madam Snoh said moving out of the area until the dry season sets in is the only option she has to protect herself and family from water borne diseases.
For his part, another resident, Morris Boakai attributed the flooding in the area to the building of structures in the waterways and garbage been deposited in drainages.
During the visit of the WASH Media Network to the community, Mr. Boakai was seen hauling water from his room with a cup and bucket, while all of his personal effects were seen in the open to get dry.
He said when it rains, his family together with other residents always suffer from flooding and remain busy drying the water from their homes.
Most of the community residents were seen in a pathetic condition, saying the situation has posed a serious health hazard for them with the fear of an outbreak of diaherra and other water borne related diseases.
The residents who appeared to be weary of the condition appealed to government and partners to aid the community by assisting them to clean up the drainages in their community before the peak of the rainy season.
