Disaster Relief in Sierra Leone: Breaking the Cycle of Climate-Driven Poverty

disaster relief in sierra leone
Every year, torrential rains and flash floods devastate Freetown, Sierra Leone, washing away homes, destroying businesses, and stripping families of their livelihoods. For the vulnerable low-lying neighborhoods where we work, the rainy season is not just an inconvenience—it’s a recurring disaster.

 

Entire communities lose shelter, clothing, bedding, and food in a matter of hours. Families are left shivering in damp, unsafe conditions that can last for weeks. Children are pulled out of school to help their families rebuild, pushing education and opportunity further out of reach. Without urgent relief, the spread of waterborne disease can skyrocket by up to 80%, compounding the already severe effects of poverty.

The Human Cost of Flooding in Sierra Leone

Disaster relief in Sierra Leone
2015 floods: Over 10 lives lost and more than 10,000 people displaced.

 

2017 mudslides and floods: Over 1,000 dead or missing, 15,000 people left homeless, and an estimated $30 million in damages.

 

Each flood season brings new heartbreak—and a new fight for survival.

How SHARP Responds to Flood Emergencies

Locals receiving their emergency relief supplies
At Safe Haven Adaptive Response Program (SHARP), we believe that to end poverty, we must first break the cycle of climate vulnerability. That means meeting urgent needs today while building climate resilience for tomorrow.

 

When floods strike, we mobilize quickly to deliver emergency relief supplies such as:

 

  • Raincoats and dry clothing
  • Dry bedding to keep families warm
  • Food and safe drinking water
  • Essential toiletries, including soap and sanitary items
These basic items do more than meet physical needs—they restore dignity, health, and hope to families who’ve lost everything in an instant.

✋ How You Can Help

 
Your support makes immediate and lasting impact:

 

  • Donate to fund life-saving supplies and long-term resilience projects.
  • 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.
 
Together, we can protect lives, restore dignity, and help families in Sierra Leone build a future free from the devastation of recurring floods.

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