Economic Loss and Mental Health Experiences among Flood Disaster Victims in Ghana

Abstract

Disasters have become a common threat to many societies across the globe. There is a severe impact on developing communities as  disasters tend to wash away the little gains they have made. These disasters will continue to occur, and their impacts will not cease to  accompany them. Meanwhile, in developing countries like Ghana, little empirical information is recorded on the impacts disaster victims  endure. Concerns for victims are short-lived, whereas the concerns of victims are largely ignored. As much as there are community-level  effects, disasters leave significant individual impacts that deserve attention. Different domains of disaster impact exist: economic, social,  and psychological. These need to be explored, especially in poor resource settings such as Ghana. This qualitative study used 13 victims  of the 3rd June 2015 flood disaster with a fire explosion in Accra, Ghana, a disaster that claimed over 150 lives. The study employed a  descriptive qualitative design to explore victims’ economic and mental health experiences. It was found that victims lost their livelihoods,  such as jobs, homes, and possessions. Psychological impacts such as anxiety, behavioural changes, and mood effects were also recorded.  It is concluded that the struggles of disaster victims in Ghana are real and that there is a need for comprehensive   investigation, intervention, and support for victims. The implications of the findings are discussed.