MONROVIA – A US-based Christian organization, World Hope International (WHI) has donated several food and medical items to survivors and relatives of those who died in the New Kru Town stampede disaster a fortnight ago.
On January 19, 2022, Liberians woke up to the shocking news of the death of several worshippers attending a crusade in the Borough of New Kru Town as the result of a stampede. The government has since announced that 29 people including a pregnant woman lost their lives in the tragic incident and dozens more are still undergoing treatment at the Redemption Hospital and nearby Kura Medical Clinic, within the area where the incident occurred.
Since the incident, the government, politicians, and charity institutions have all been reaching out to the survivors and relatives of those who lost their lives.
On Monday, January 31, WHI Liberia, headed by its Country Director, Mathew P. Ndote was in New Kru Town presenting several bags of rice, cooking oil, can-fish, sanitary materials, other food items, and assorted medical drugs to the bereaved families, survivors, and the Redemption Hospital.
Presenting the items to the Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Urban Affairs, Madam Paulita C.C. Wie for onward presentation to the governor of the area, Mr. Ndote said the gesture was made possible through the kindness of the World Hope International partner and Celebrate Church based in the USA. He said in the aftermath of the tragic incident, WHI-Liberia requested from its headquarters in the USA to intervene. The request was approved, and the group began negotiating and arranging resources for the purchase of these relief items. The organization, he said, also dispatched its team to New Kru Town to work with the local authorities to know the exact needs of the survivors, and a list was compiled.
He expressed his hope that the intervention will be of great help to the affected families.
“We cannot address all of their needs, but we have come with some important items to signify our heartfelt condolence. And we hope this will make a difference,” he said.
As part of WHI’s intervention, he disclosed that the organization will be assigning a psychosocial counselor to the families of those affected for about a month to help them in their emotional and mental recovery process, with the possibility of an extension if the need arises. He disclosed that the donors Celebrate church team is expected to visit Liberia in March this year and proposed a visit to the Borough in their itinerary.
Speaking further, the WHI’s Country Director mentioned that the organization is also working hard to render support to families affected by recent fire outbreaks across Monrovia; especially in the Peace Island Community and 14th Street Sinkor.
Speaking on behalf of the National Government, madam Wie thanked WHI for the timely intervention and called on the Governor and local leaders to ensure that the items reach the affected families.
She extended condolences to the families and the people of New Kru town for the unfortunate incident and pledged the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ commitment to working with humanitarian organizations and philanthropists to reach out to them.
She said: “We are saddened by what happened at the crusade. The people went to worship God, and it was something they didn’t expect to happen. Our hearts are heavy, and we want to say never mind.”
“We’ll continue to work with the World Hope International and other humanitarian organizations and their donors to ensure help is going to those who need it most. We want to say a big thank you to them. We pray whatever that was given be replenished and hope the items will be used and given to the rightful people.”
Receiving the items, the Governor of the Borough of New Kru Town, Mr. Moses Doe Weah thanked WHI for reaching out to them in times of dire needs. He said the tragedy affected not only the people of the Borough but the entire country. He promised that the materials will be given to the rightful people – the survivors and victims’ families left behind.
“We are so grateful to you for coming. The Disaster Committee has recorded every affected person and household. And we will make sure that they received what you have brought for them,” Governor Weah pledged.”
Also speaking, the head of the New Kru Town Disaster Committee, John Nyanti said the impact of the disaster is enormous, and his committee will make sure that that those affected receive whatever help that has come for them.
He said some of the victims who lost their lives were the only source of income for their families, and their demise has left a deep void in their lives. He stressed the need for a united front to address some of the devastating effects of the incident.
“Just the other day, we buried a mother and her child together. It was a very sad moment for us all. And these are the experience we have been going through over the past weeks. So, we will ensure that these families get any help that comes their way,” he said.
About World Hope International -Liberia
World Hope International (WHI) is a relief and development organization working with vulnerable and exploited communities to alleviate poverty, suffering, and injustice. The organization’s vision is to provide those in need with opportunity, dignity, and hope so they can possess the tools for change in themselves, their family, and their community. Since 1999 when the organization was registered in Liberia, WHI has implemented programs in health; education, child sponsorship; agriculture; WASH; and anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Recently, WHI’s programs in Liberia are focused on the following thematic areas namely Health, Water, Sanitation, and Renewable Energy; Education and Human Protection including Education Sponsorship and Anti-Trafficking in Persons. WHI has the technical capacity, equipment, and tools to perform these functions and deliver high-quality results. To ensure the sustainability of projects, WHI has adopted market-based and community-driven enterprise solutions to empower, protect, and build resiliency through innovative, environmentally conscious, and transformative projects. WHI delivers programming through strategic local and global partnerships to create a maximum, sustainable impact through a project cycle costing sustainability planning process.
Since 1999 when the organization was registered in Liberia, WHI has implemented programs in health; education, child sponsorship; agriculture; WASH; and anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Recently, WHI’s programs in Liberia are focused on the following thematic areas namely Health, Water, Sanitation, and Renewable Energy; Education and Human Protection including Education Sponsorship and Anti-Trafficking in Persons. WHI has the technical capacity, equipment, and tools to perform these functions and deliver high-quality results. To ensure the sustainability of projects, WHI has adopted market-based and community-driven enterprise solutions to empower, protect, and build resiliency through innovative, environmentally conscious, and transformative projects. WHI delivers programming through strategic local and global partnerships to create a maximum, sustainable impact through a project cycle costing sustainability planning process.
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