Additional funding by the Canadian government for IOM operations
providing emergency assistance to thousands of Ghanaians affected
by recent floods will target the most vulnerable still in need of
shelter and basic relief items.

About USD 210,000 (CAD 205,000) has been given by Canada's
International Development Agency (CIDA) through its humanitarian
assistance directorate for IOM relief operations in Ghana being
carried out in close coordination with the Ghanaian government, the
United Nations (UN), the Red Cross and other partners.

Funds will be used for the provision of basic relief items such
as blankets, kitchen sets and sleeping mats to thousands of the
most vulnerable of the displaced including women, children and the
elderly.

Tents and plastic sheeting will also be distributed to help
alleviate the pressure on host communities while financial and
technical support will be provided for the construction or
restoration of mud-block houses on higher ground.

Floods in Ghana's northern and parts of its western regions in
September have affected more than 330,000 people, killed another 56
and destroyed thousands of hectares of crops.

An appeal launched by the UN, IOM and partners, was launched
earlier this month for USD 12.4 million to provide flood victims
with emergency shelter, water and sanitation and food and food
assistance. To date, the response has totalled just under USD 2.8
million, including the contribution from CIDA.

For further information, please contact:

Joseph Rispoli

IOM Ghana

Tel: +233 21 508 698

E-mail: "mailto:jrispoli@iom.int">jrispoli@iom.int