John W. Toe, a 62-year-old father of eight, has lived in Weasay, a flood-prone slum community, for most of his life. His five-bedroom house, once a source of pride, now faces the constant threat of collapse due to recurring flooding. Situated near a drainage system filled with plastic waste, feces, and stagnant water, John’s home has been gradually sinking as the ground beneath it becomes more waterlogged with each passing storm. “The drainage is filled with all kinds of waste,” John explained. “The water seeps into our home, and now the ground is too soft to hold the house up.”
Despite these devastating conditions, John and his family have no choice but to stay. “I’ve been here since I was young, and now we have no place else to go,” he shared. The repeated flooding has severely impacted their lives. “Water enters the house and fills all the rooms,” he continued. “We’ve had to carry blocks into the house to raise the mattresses off the ground so we can sleep without lying in water. It’s been a struggle for all of us, especially the children.” His five mattresses are now damaged beyond repair, and his children have been suffering from cold and infections due to the unsanitary environment.
John’s story reflects the plight of many families in Weasay and other flood-prone communities. As extreme weather events become more frequent, poor drainage and inadequate waste management have left residents like John feeling trapped and vulnerable. “We are helpless,” he lamented. “Each year, the flooding gets worse. We need real solutions to stop this from happening again.”
In response to the devastating floods, the Liberia National Red Cross Society, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) under its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund DREF has stepped in to assist families like John’s. The European Union has contributed to the emergency that the Red Cross is using to provide cash assistance and essential cleaning tools to help communities recover. John and his family are among the 1,500 families benefiting from this aid, which is reaching 13,100 people affected by the floods.
Recently, the European Union Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Nona Deprez, joined the Red Cross on a field visit to flood-affected communities, including Weasay, to witness the struggles families face in the aftermath of the flooding. As she walked through the flooded areas, Ambassador Deprez emphasized the importance of finding lasting solutions and urged communities to take greater responsibility for maintaining clean surroundings and clearing drainage systems to prevent future disasters. “We are supporting the Red Cross to help you mitigate the impact of the disaster,” the Ambassador said. “But it is equally important for the community to engage in keeping the environment clean and preventing blockages that worsen flooding.”
The visit not only showcased the EU’s commitment to assisting flood-affected communities but also reinforced the need for long-term resilience. Ambassador Deprez reiterated the EU’s dedication to helping families recover and rebuild stronger homes. “We are empowering families to make choices that best suit their needs,” she said, noting that the cash assistance allows beneficiaries to prioritize key concerns like food, education, and shelter.
John agreed with the Ambassador’s call for community action. As a recipient of the Red Cross’s cash assistance, he is determined to contribute to the solution. “This support has been a lifeline for us,” he said. “I will join the rest of the community in cleaning campaigns and clearing drainages to prevent this from happening again. We need to work together to make our homes safer.”
The Red Cross, through its partnership with the EU and IFRC, is not only helping families like John’s recover but also laying the groundwork for long-term resilience. By providing cash assistance and encouraging community engagement, the Red Cross is empowering affected families to rebuild their lives, restore their dignity, and protect themselves against future disasters. As John looks to the future, he remains hopeful that with the right support and commitment, his family and his community can weather the storms ahead.
