The Struggle of Living in a Flood-Prone Community

Joyce Conteh and her family live in Down Congo Town, one of Freetown’s most vulnerable, flood-prone communities. Here, the impacts of climate change are felt in the most personal and devastating ways. Each year, a combination of heavy rainfall and high tides from the sea brings flooding that disrupts lives and washes away hard-earned belongings.

“The water usually gets inside our house and destroys our belongings,” Joyce explains. “Sometimes, we have to leave everything behind and just run.”

Like many of her neighbors, Joyce has taken small but critical steps to protect her family. She recently built a short concrete barrier at her doorway—not to stop the water entirely, but to slow it down, giving her family a chance to save essential items before evacuating.

Still, daily life remains a struggle. “We are not happy living like this,” she says, “but this is the only place we can afford right now.”

Joyce’s story reflects the reality faced by hundreds of families across Freetown’s low-lying areas. With few relocation options and limited support, they are left to face the brunt of the climate crisis on their own.

How We Help

At SHARP Sierra Leone, we share stories like Joyce’s to amplify the voices of vulnerable communities, raise awareness, and advocate for stronger disaster preparedness and climate resilience initiatives. We step in to provide urgent relief when floods hit the community.

With no public shelters available, families are forced to endure heavy downpours and sleep in damp, unsafe conditions. We distribute raincoats, dry bedding and clothing, food, clean drinking water, and essential toiletries—especially soap—to help families stay healthy and maintain dignity during these emergencies. Our support offers immediate comfort and protection, while we continue to advocate for long-term solutions for flood-prone communities.