Akropong-Akuapem (E/R), June 21, GNA - The Akuapem North District Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has placed all organisations under it on the alert to help reduce the effect of any disaster that may arise from the expected heavy rains in the area this season.

Mr Seth Dunwell Otchere, District NADMO Co-ordinator, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Akropong on Sunday said all the 11 zonal committees in the District had been directed to identify "safe havens" on hilly places so that in case of any floods the affected people could be moved to those areas if necessary.

Mr Otchere said the committees had been instructed to target school blocks with windows, doors and toilet facilities.

He said the committees were also instructed to continue with a tree planting exercise which was started in the District sometime ago to provide sufficient trees to serve as wind breaks.

Mr Otchere said his office was also in constant touch with the Regional Secretariat in Koforidua and the Akuapem North District Assembly so that when the need arose, his office could mobilise the necessary material and food items to support the disaster victims.

He said where the disaster did not require encampment of the victims the affected persons would be encouraged to put up with their relations and friends while his office assessed the situation to find out the required intervention.

Mr Otchere said NADMO had organised a series of community workshops on disaster management to educate the people on how to prevent disaster or to help reduce casualties when disasters struck.

He appealed to Akuapem citizens to support his office to build up stocks of relief items including clothes, building materials and food as part of the disaster preparedness.