Ukrainian Embassy and Ridne Food Consortium bring relief to flood-hit refugees in Accra

The Ridne Food Consortium and Ukraine's diplomatic mission in Ghana have jointly delivered emergency relief supplies to refugees affected by recent flooding in parts of Accra, addressing a humanitarian crisis affecting one of the city's most vulnerable populations.

The donation, presented in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board, targets urban refugees whose precarious living situations have been significantly worsened by the floods. Joshua Asamoah Kyeremeh, representing the Ridne Food Consortium, emphasised that the intervention seeks to provide targeted support to individuals already struggling with difficult circumstances before the disaster struck.

"We want to partner with the Ghana Refugee Board so that we can give this support to those who are already living under difficult conditions and the flood has also come to worsen it," Kyeremeh stated during the presentation.

The refugee crisis deepens

Ghana hosts one of Africa's largest refugee populations, with thousands of asylum seekers and refugees living in both formal settlements and urban areas across the country. The recent flooding in Accra has compounded existing vulnerabilities for these communities, many of whom live in informal settlements with limited access to basic services.

Dr Nasiba Taahiru-Swallah, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Ghana Refugee Board, highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that displaced refugees have lost essential belongings and require immediate humanitarian intervention. "Our refugees living in the communities have been affected by floods. They have been displaced, they have lost their basic items… these essential items will go a long way to help them in this critical time," she said.

The donation represents one of several relief efforts being coordinated by government agencies and civil society organisations in response to Accra's flooding crisis, which has affected thousands of residents across multiple districts.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana's refugee population contributes significantly to urban and rural communities, yet remains among the most marginalised groups during disasters. Climate-related flooding events in Accra have become increasingly common, exposing gaps in disaster preparedness and response systems that adequately protect vulnerable populations.

This partnership between international actors and local institutions demonstrates how foreign missions can support Ghana's humanitarian obligations. The involvement of Ukraine's Embassy is particularly noteworthy given the global refugee crisis triggered by Russia's invasion, which has expanded Ukraine's diplomatic focus on refugee welfare worldwide.

The initiative also underscores the importance of coordination between government agencies like the Ghana Refugee Board and private sector actors in scaling relief efforts. As climate change intensifies flooding risks in Accra and other urban centres, establishing sustainable partnerships that can rapidly mobilise resources for vulnerable populations becomes increasingly critical.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk, characterised the donation as symbolic of deeper diplomatic cooperation. "This symbolic donation shows that the Ghana Refugee Board has a very good partner in the Ridne Food Consortium and the local Ukrainian community," he said, suggesting that further collaborative efforts may follow.

The Ghana Refugee Board continues coordinating with international and local partners to assess needs and distribute assistance to affected refugees, with emphasis on ensuring that vulnerable groups access essential support during disaster recovery phases.