Emergency Aid to Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

The grant was extended in support of the provision of essential relief supplies for the victims of the mudslide in Sierra Leone and in support of emergency operations conducted by the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS).The IFRC and Sierra Leone Red Cross Society have worked towards assisting vulnerable communities that were directly affected by the mudslide by targeting some 1,000 families (6,000 individuals) through provision of basic needs and early recovery support for reintegration. The support extended to 20,000 individuals at risk through DRR support and awareness activities. The project was operationally completed and the overall assessment of the project implementation was highly satisfactory. In line with the activities approved in the Grant, and in the frame of the emergency appeal, this fund was channelled to provide much needed aid of NFI, WASH services and Disaster Risk Reduction targeting some 2,400 men, women and children. OFID supported the provision of clean and safe drinking water through rehabilitation of existing water sources and drilling of new boreholes in the communities. Access to proper sanitation was addressed through the construction of latrines and drainage clearance in Culvert community. The funds also contributed to the provision of WASH NFIs which included hygiene kits and Aqua tabs. Mass awareness raising campaigns were conducted through distribution of IEC materials. Wide range of methods was employed to reach out to target communities including mobile cinemas, community drama and focus group discussions as well as awareness campaigns through public address; thanks to your community-based volunteers for taking the lead. OFID support was used to target different groups of direct and indirect beneficiaries. The first set of beneficiaries includes 2,400 affected people in the six mudslide/floods affected communities. The second set of target group includes 120 volunteers and focal persons referred to as Community-Based volunteers. These volunteers were selected and validated in line with community stakeholders. A last set of beneficiaries include local community leaders, i.e. chiefs, local government authorities and other community-based structures.