CONIWAS calls for targeted WASH interventions following June 29 flood disaster

The Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) has warned of a potential public health emergency following the devastating floods that inundated Accra and several communities across southern Ghana on Monday, June 29.

The Coalition said the floods have created conditions that could trigger outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases if urgent preventive measures are not implemented.

In a statement issued by its Executive Secretary on Thursday, CONIWAS noted that the 160 millimetres of rainfall recorded within 24 hours, one of the highest in recent years, caused widespread flooding, displaced thousands of residents, damaged infrastructure and contaminated water sources across seven regions, with Accra suffering the worst impact.

“This is not just a humanitarian emergency. It is a looming health emergency,” the Coalition stated.

“Beyond destroyed homes and lost livelihoods, the floods have created perfect conditions for cholera and other waterborne diseases to take hold. We cannot afford to respond late.”

CONIWAS extended its condolences to families who lost relatives, homes and livelihoods, and expressed solidarity with households displaced by the disaster.

Citing a public health advisory issued by the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health on June 29, the Coalition warned that stagnant floodwaters, overflowing drains, indiscriminate waste disposal and contaminated drinking water sources have significantly increased the risk of disease outbreaks.

It noted that the warning is particularly important in light of Ghana's recent experience with a multi regional cholera outbreak in 2024.

According to CONIWAS, children, older persons, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and residents of low income, flood prone communities are especially vulnerable because of damaged sanitation facilities and limited access to safe drinking water.

The Coalition also expressed concern about reports of refuse being dumped into rivers and floodwaters during the flooding, saying the practice contaminates water sources with sewage and other harmful waste.

While commending the government for releasing GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund and deploying security agencies to support relief efforts, CONIWAS stressed that water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions must remain central to the recovery process.

It called on the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, working through the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, to immediately enforce environmental sanitation bylaws, desilt choked drains and disinfect high risk areas, including markets, schools, health facilities and other public spaces.

The Coalition also urged authorities to provide safe alternative water supplies to communities whose water sources have been contaminated, intensify food hygiene inspections in affected areas, strengthen community disease surveillance and remove structures obstructing waterways.

CONIWAS further advocated gender responsive emergency WASH interventions to ensure women and girls have access to menstrual hygiene materials and dignity kits.

The Coalition also appealed to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, in collaboration with Ghana Water Limited, the Water Resources Commission and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, to intensify water quality monitoring, secure safe alternative water sources where necessary and communicate public health risks effectively.

It urged the public to drink only treated or boiled water, wash hands regularly with soap and running water, eat only properly cooked food, dispose of waste responsibly and avoid dumping refuse or faecal matter into drains, rivers and floodwaters.

Residents experiencing symptoms such as severe diarrhoea, vomiting or dehydration were advised to seek immediate medical attention rather than self-medicate.

CONIWAS called for a coordinated national response involving government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and communities to ensure that relief and public health interventions reach the most vulnerable populations.

The Coalition said its network of 90 member organisations across the country will continue to monitor the impact of the floods on water and sanitation services while providing technical support and community mobilisation where necessary.

Although describing the situation as serious, CONIWAS stressed that cholera is both preventable and treatable if appropriate interventions are implemented promptly.

“We must move from reactive relief to proactive resilience,” the Coalition stated.

“That means investing in climate-resilient drainage, integrated solid waste management, upgraded sanitation infrastructure and sustainable water resource management. Our communities' health is inseparable from the health of our water and environment. We must act now, before an outbreak is declared.”

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