Caritas- Freetown, with funding from Manos Unidas, a Spanish Catholic NGO, provided emergency relief on Tuesday to 106 victims of recent fire disasters in three Freetown communities: Kroo Bay, Congo Town, and Black Hall Road.
The distribution ceremony took place at the Caritas Freetown headquarters at Kingtom, where beneficiaries received a package of essential food and non-food items. Each recipient was given a 50kg bag of rice, one gallon of vegetable oil, one gallon of palm oil, onions, a packet of Maggi seasoning, and salt. Non-food items included a rubber bucket, laundry soap, scented soap, a lappa (traditional garment for women), sanitary pads, batteries, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
In his remarks, Ishmeal Alfred Charles, Programs Manager of Caritas- Freetown, expressed empathy for the victims and apologized for the delay in distribution.
“We were scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. sharp, but due to unforeseen logistical delays and the rain, we started at 11,” Charles explained. “I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to those affected by this tragic fire and flooding. As we often say, no amount of support can replace what you’ve lost, but we hope this relief brings some comfort.”
He also cited international banking challenges as a cause of the delay in delivering the aid.
“We believe everything happens in its own time, and perhaps this was the right moment for you to receive this help,” he added.
Charles emphasized that the aid was specifically targeted at victims of the recent fire incidents in the three communities. He expressed gratitude to Manos Unidas for their continued partnership and unwavering support.
He introduced Manos Unidas to the audience as a long-standing partner of Caritas Freetown.
“Manos Unidas is a Catholic Church-based organization in Spain dedicated to fighting poverty and promoting development. They focus on tackling the root causes of poverty, such as injustice, limited access to resources, and poor education,” Charles said.
He also shared a brief history of the organization, explaining that Manos Unidas originated from the Campaign Against Hunger, launched in 1959 by Catholic Action Women in Spain. “Their mission is to fight hunger, poverty, disease, and illiteracy while empowering communities through sustainable development rooted in dignity and justice,” he added.
Also speaking at the event was Councillor Samuel Kamara of the Freetown City Council, who expressed appreciation for the intervention.
“Caritas Freetown has always stood by our communities in times of disaster,” he said. “Even though the FCC may not always have the resources to respond directly, we rely on organizations like Caritas to provide the much-needed support to our people.”
Kamara reassured beneficiaries of the organization’s commitment.
“Sometimes when Caritas comes around to collect data and then leaves, people assume nothing will come out of it. But this is not fraud, as with some other organizations, we are seeing the results today. I’ll be reporting to the Mayor that this was a well-executed response. Thank you, Caritas, and thank you, Manos Unidas,” he concluded.
Among the beneficiaries was Kadiatu Fofanah, a resident of Kroo Bay, who emotionally recalled how her life changed in an instant.
“I had just left home to attend to my small business when I heard my house was on fire,” she recounted. “At first, I couldn’t believe it. But when I got there, everything was gone. I couldn’t save a single item—not even my phone or personal belongings.”
Kadiatu expressed deep gratitude upon receiving her relief package.
“This is the first real help I’ve received since the fire,” she said through tears. “Caritas and Manos Unidas have given me hope again. May God bless them.”
The emergency response highlights Caritas Freetown’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in times of crisis. It also reflects the power of strong local-international partnerships in responding effectively to disasters across Freetown.
Sinneh Mansaray, Director of Relief and Response at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), commended Caritas Freetown’s efforts:
“Caritas is one of our key partners, consistently mobilizing support from their wide network of generous donors whenever there is a need. They are here today because of the vital assistance they are providing to several of our affected communities—specifically Congo Town, Black Hall Road, and Kroo Bay. These communities represent 106 households, with an average of five to six members per household.”
He noted Caritas- Freetown’s track record in the Western Area, “When it comes to disaster response, Caritas has performed exceptionally well. That’s why we conduct joint assessments with them in affected communities to identify and prioritize urgent needs.”
