For the families living in the impoverished communities of Freetown flooding is a frequent occurrence during the rainy season. Because the communities are in a low lying swampy area that forms a channel to the sea, flash flooding can happen during heavy downpours.
The rainy season is May to November, but the heaviest rains occur in the months of July and August. The flash floods may occur multiple times during this season, and frequently occur at night when families are asleep. This leads to extreme stress, fear, and feelings of vulnerability. Experts predict that in the coming years the flooding is only going to get worse.
As the waters rush through the community, families lose everything they have; clothing, bedding, cooking utensils, food, and school books. Because petty trade (selling anything you can) is the only means for most of them to earn an income, they also lose their businesses to the waters. And sadly, lives are often lost.
There are no emergency shelters in Sierra Leone, so families have nowhere to go to escape the rushing waters or the subsequent wet housing. Sleeping in damp conditions, often on the bare, wet ground, leads to sickness and disease. Children and elderly are especially vulnerable. Pregnant women also have a particularly difficult time during the heavy rains. Many of our students and teachers live in this community.
Our Disaster Relief Efforts in Sierra Leone
Our disaster relief team mobilizes quickly to deliver emergency relief supplies. With the help of our supporters, we were able to quickly provide the following disaster relief in the most recent flooding:
- We distributed inexpensive raincoats to give people relief from the heavy rain
- Rice was distributed, as food supplies were washed away with the flood
- Toiletries were supplied, especially soap which is needed because things are covered with mud
- We distributed dry clothing and bedding
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- Raincoats were distributed
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- Flood victims receicve dry clothing
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- Distributing clothing and bedding to flood victims
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- Flood Victim receives rice for her family
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- Sorting the clothing
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- Bales of clothes
✋ How You Can Help
Your support makes immediate and lasting impact:
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Donate to fund life-saving supplies and long-term resilience projects.
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Volunteer your time and skills to help with disaster response and community rebuilding.
Partner as a corporate sponsor to help us expand our reach and amplify our impact.