Tamale, Nov. 26, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday=

led the World Food Programme, the National Disaster Management Organizati= on (NADMO) and other partners to distribute food to flood victims in the Northern Region. The package, which included bags of maize, rice and oil and distribut= ed to victims in Jagna in the Mamprusi West and Tikali in Gonja Central Districts of the Northern Region, symbolized the week long distribution t= o victims in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and the Brong Ahaf= o Regions. Speaking at both locations, Vice President Mahama said the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority Board would be inaugurated before the e= nd of the year, after which they would identify all flood prone areas to rep= ort to government for action.

He said the donation was part of the contributions from development partners totaling $5 million, while government had also contributed GH¢= 5 million towards the upkeep of the victims.

Vice President Mahama said a flood implementation committee would soo= n identify and counsel all those, who were moved upland, during the construction of the Akosombo Dam to return to those areas, as some of the= m had reportedly returned to the low lands. Mr Ismail Omer, Country Director of the World Food Programme, promise= d that his outfit would collaborate with SADA to implement the "Food for Wo= rk" activities to mitigate the effects of climate change and recurrent floodi= ng in the country. "The Food for Work project will provide food rations in exchange for work done with the aim of slowing soil erosion and land degradation in th= e flood affected areas." He said the programme would initially provide food for 25,000 in urge= nt need of assistance valued at $300,000. Mr Omer said as a long-term measure, WFP would partner government to rehabilitate all victims who have lost their property and farmlands.