Winneba, Aug 09, GNA - Properties worth over 3.6 billion cedis were destroyed between April and May in the Central Region through ''Hydro Meteorological'' related disasters.

It is therefore necessary that an Institution such as the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) be resourced to prevent and manage disasters, an official of the organisation has said. Mr Williams Adjei-Banin, the Central Regional Co-ordinator of NADMO, said this when inaugurating the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Disaster Management Committee at Winneba on Monday.

The seven-member committee, head by the District Chief Executive, include representatives from the police, Fire Service, Information Services Department, assembly members and the Members of Parliament with the District NADMO Officer as its secretary.

The committee would be assisted by a technical sub-committee that will be headed by a technocrat in the filed of disaster management and prevention.

The committee would plan for the district to prevent and mitigate disaster, maintain a close liaison with the regional committee in drawing up its plans.

Mr Adjei-Banin said the issue of disaster management and prevention is not easy task. "It is therefore not a sole responsibility of any individual or agency. It should be a collective responsibility of all stakeholders."

He appealed to all and sundry, especially the district assemblies, to assist in evolving strategies aimed at preventing disasters in the district.

Mr Adjei-Banin appealed to members of the committee to bring their rich experience and expertise to bear on the work of the committee to help reduce disaster in the region.

Mr Solomon Aban-Quaye, the District Chief Executive who is the chairman of the committee, expressed the hope that with the inauguration of the committee, it would work effectively to achieve its aims and objectives.