Bawku west: World Vision Ghana, a Christian child rights organisation, has presented sanitary items, hygiene materials, and medications to asylum seekers at the Tarikom Refugee Reception and Settlement Centre in the Bawku West District. The support, aimed at enhancing access to hygiene services and promoting dignified living among the vulnerable asylum seekers, included boxes of dignity kits such as sanitary pads, soap, towels, underwear, baby wrappers for pregnant women, buckets, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, as well as vitamin supplements and dewormers.
According to Ghana News Agency, the donation was complemented by a sensitisation session on personal hygiene practices and the use of the relief items, particularly the sanitary pads, to ensure improved reproductive health and overall well-being. This initiative, undertaken in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ernest Chemist, Vitamin Angels, and other partners, is part of World Vision Ghana's broader commitment to supporting the integration of asylum seekers into host communities while promoting social cohesion.
During a short ceremony at Tarikom, Mr Samuel Gmalu, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager of World Vision Ghana, stated that the support was intended to complement the cash assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) aimed at improving the livelihoods of the asylum seekers. He highlighted concerns over the growing needs of the refugee population and the reduction in financial support, pointing out that WFP has announced a cut in the cash transfers to the refugees from GH?1,000.00 to GH?400.00 per household due to dwindling funding, which could significantly impact their lives.
Mr Gmalu noted that the intervention would help relieve some financial burdens on the beneficiaries, allowing them to allocate their scarce resources towards basic necessities such as food, thus improving household food security and nutrition. He called on stakeholders and organisations to support the refugees, ensuring they live dignified lives.
Ms Awurabena Quayeba Dadzie, Health and Nutrition Technical Manager of World Vision Ghana, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to responding to humanitarian crises to help affected individuals lead normal lives. She explained that this support would also alleviate pressure on shared resources and social amenities with host communities, thus preventing conflict and strengthening peaceful coexistence.
Ms Dadzie further noted that World Vision Ghana has already provided Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, refurbished a health facility in the area, and delivered skills training to the beneficiaries to enhance their stay in Ghana. The asylum seekers expressed gratitude for the support, acknowledging its positive impact on their lives. Currently, there are 2,224 asylum seekers at the Tarikom Refugee Reception and Settlement Centre.
