By Hassan Osman Kargbo
As a way to help mitigate floodings, landslides and structural collapses within the Freetown municipality, Caritas Freetown, in partnership with the Start Network and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), has developed the Start Fund Flood Emergency Response Project.
It aimed to assist some of the hardest-hit populations in the region that are seriously affected with environmental disasters.
It could be recalled that some part of the City have been experiencing natural disasters that have severely impacted both urban and rural areas in the city. Communities such as Waterloo, Allentown, Devil-Hole, Goderich, Lebuma, Crab Town, Bonga Town, Carlton, Cockle Bay, Culvert, Kroo Bay, Central, Susan’s Bay, Moyieba, Portee, Bottom Oku, Wellington, Calaba Town, Allen Town, Wan Pole, Grafton and SS Camp bearing the brunt of the destruction.
According to the Project Manager and Disaster Management Team Leader at Caritas Freetown, Idriss Gibson Mansaray, the flooding and landslides resulted in the collapse of numerous houses, the displacement of residents and the tragic loss of lives. “In Waterloo alone, significant parts of the market square were destroyed, while in Devil Hole, a landslide buried five to six houses, endangering the surrounding area,” he stated. He also noted that areas like Culvert, Susan’s Bay and Cockle Bay experienced severe flooding and structural damage.
The “Start Fund Flood Emergency Response in Sierra Leone” Project, supported by Start Fund, is focusing on the immediate needs of 700 of the most severely affected households, out of 2,020 identified by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). The aid strategy is centered on providing Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) to empower families to purchase essential items, according to their needs such as food, clothing and medical supplies.
Caritas Freetown is working closely with Rokel Commercial Bank to facilitate the distribution of funds. Beneficiaries will receive vouchers indicating their allocated amount, which can be redeemed at designated bank branches. Each household is expected to receive approximately NLe 3,169.29, a sum calculated to help them meet urgent requirements.
Despite the positive impact that the project will make, challenges remain, particularly the disparity between the number of people in need and the resources available. While the project targets 700 households, many others remain in need of assistance. Caritas Freetown is committed to addressing complaints and feedback from those not selected, ensuring their situations are considered for future aid efforts.
