• Communities affected by flooding express feeling neglected by the government.
• Charge Disaster Management Agency personnel with theft of relief supplies during transit
• Specialists argue that significantly more efforts are required to safeguard populations as global warming intensifies the destructive impact of rainy periods.

Here, the horizon appears dull and unclear, mirroring the condition of nearby Glanyah—both areas have been severely affected by natural disasters. Sitting on a worn-out foam mattress provided by a helpful neighbor, Mohammed Keita resides amidst what remains of his demolished house due to floodwaters.
last year
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Almost half a year since catastrophic flooding hit portions of River Cess County, locals are still dealing with the consequences. Triggered by surging water levels from the Cestos and Teekpor rivers, these disasters wiped out farmlands and commercial establishments. Twenty-seven houses were engulfed, resulting in at least one fatality. However, even though authorities promised assistance, help has yet to reach them.

“I’m barely able to talk right now due to my frustration,” states Keita, a 72-year-old farmer from ITI, his voice trembling emotionally. His farm was swept away by the floods. “This has deeply impacted me, yet so far, neither the Liberian government nor local authorities have shown any concern or responded.”

Following the floods, Senator Bill Twehway, who chairs the River Cess County Legislative Caucus, informed reporters that both Liberia’s Disaster Management Agency and Bea Mountain Mining Company had provided 450 sacks of rice weighing twenty-five kilograms each, along with 20 containers of cooking oil and additional supplies. He reassured everyone that a vehicle loaded with these provisions was en route.

All items were handed over to the Disaster Commission who told me they had departed from Monrovia with plans to bring these materials here,” stated Senator Twehway back then. However, the truck failed to arrive.

The residents claim that the assistance was offloaded and sold by local representatives of the Disaster Agency in two locations en route — Nimba Junction and Oldpa Village.

“I witnessed them transporting rice, argon oil, and smaller mattresses,” stated Mahyeadeh Zar, who serves as the town chief of Nimba Junction. “Whenever these items arrive at Nimba Junction, they store them locally. However, subsequently, we noticed their vehicle returning to retrieve these goods. It seems like they use these supplies for commercial purposes before resuming their regular activities.”

Ansu Dulleh, who leads Liberia’s Disaster Management Agency, assured that an inquiry into the vanished assistance was currently in progress.

“We will conduct a prompt investigation to determine the source of the problem,” stated Dulleh during an interview. “We’ll identify whether it originated from residents of that area or individuals who visited. We aim to reach a rational conclusion and implement corrective actions swiftly concerning these events.”

In the meantime, residents report that the sole assistance received has come from the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, which distributed $U160 to 180 families in Glanyah. Currently, they face a double challenge: an immediate requirement for food and water coupled with the struggle to reconstruct their dwellings as another rainy season approaches.

In ITI, the floodwaters surged rapidly. Without any prior notice, individuals such as Keita found themselves with no opportunity to gather their belongings. The deluge struck Keita’s home along the banks of the Cestos River, causing the structure’s walls to collapse under the pressure.

For Keita and his family, the disaster has struck with particular severity. His home was partly ruined, and his means of earning a living were swept away. Now, Keita makes a living by producing charcoal, whereas his spouse peddles prepared meals. Their 13-year-old daughter had to leave her studies because of the calamity but has just started going back to school again, aided by their modest earnings from selling both charcoal and provisions.

I believe you can notice how poor my sleeping arrangements are,” Keita remarks. “My mattresses, including those for the kids, are not in good condition once more due to the water damaging them all. So, I am truly constrained when it comes to mattresses and various household items.

Specialists have cautioned that the government must significantly step up efforts to prepare for intensifying monsoon seasons due to climate change.
In 2024, floodwaters impacted approximately 100,000 individuals throughout Liberia, with the most severely affected regions being River Cess, Bong, and Grand Cape Mount counties, as reported by the Liberia Disaster Agency.
The previous year had also been among the most torrential rainfall periods ever recorded.

Experts indicate that the effects of climate change are worsening at an accelerated pace beyond initial forecasts. These impacts are exacerbated by inadequate implementation of regulations prohibiting construction within flood zones and obstruction of proper drainage systems. Additionally, widespread deforestation has diminished the landscape’s inherent ability to retain moisture effectively. According to the World Bank, without intervention, climate change might reduce Liberia’s economic output by 15% and drive an extra 1.3 million individuals into poverty by mid-century.

“We are inundated,” Dulleh, who leads the Disaster Management Agency, stated during an interview with state radio amid the crisis in October. “The situation is widespread throughout our nation. It’s proving to be quite a learning experience for us, thus we must allocate additional resources towards enhancing our national disaster management capabilities.”

Specialists assert that the administration needs to make climate adaptation a priority immediately.

“Overall, I believe the government isn’t making significant efforts to mitigate how climate change affects citizens,” states Sampson Williams, an environmentalist affiliated with the Sustainable Development Institute. “Despite having the Environmental Protection Agency based in Monrovia, individuals still construct buildings within swampy areas without intervention. Similarly, the Liberian Disaster Management Agency should be addressing these issues as part of their mandate; however, floods continue to occur nationwide. Yet, one cannot point out anything substantial that this agency has accomplished. Reports suggest pervasive corruption throughout the nation where aid meant for those desperately needing sustenance appears to be diverted instead—being sold rather than distributed fairly.”

In Glanyah, although the water levels have stabilized, the aftermath persists with demolished houses, eroded roadways, and disrupted means of living. For Princess Nanna, who previously used her grocery store earnings to cover schooling costs for her five children ranging from 3 to 13 years old until the store succumbed to floodwaters, each day now presents an arduous challenge.

For 14 days, the deluge submerged the village’s sole well. Although this well remains their only supply of potable water, locals fear it may have been tainted by the inundation.

Nanna mentions that we can head to different creeks for water. Alternatively, we can use the areas in the bush for going to the toilet. When it rains, this will cause waste from the bushes to be washed into the creeks as the runoff flows downhill.

Nanna feels let down by the government. She says, “I got nothing from them. I am truly disappointed.”

Jerome Nyenka, who teaches Forest Economics at the University of Liberia, argues that an urgent governmental awareness initiative is necessary.

“Observe what’s happening: People are erecting structures in waterways, developing areas prone to flooding, and disposing of waste in wetlands, which damages these ecosystems and hinders their ability to protect the environment,” explains Nyenka. “Therefore, if we offer fundamental education to individuals, we can ensure they won’t engage in activities that compromise environmental integrity.”

With climate change and a faltering economy exacerbating poverty in remote regions, experts caution that the underlying stresses which fueled Liberia’s civil strife are beginning to resurface.

Keita asserts, “The government cannot handle every task, yet they must support us during crucial times,” reflecting the frustration expressed in affected areas nationwide. He emphasizes, “What we require is genuine transformation, not hollow commitments.”

This narrative was developed in partnership with New Narratives under the Investigating Liberia initiative. Financial support came from the Swedish Embassy in Liberia. However, the funding body did not influence the story’s content.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).