Devastating flooding in Sierra Leone: CBM partners on the ground
| Posted on: | Thursday, 17th August, 2017 |
Heavy rain has caused devastating floods and mudslides in Sierra Leone, West Africa, leaving at least 400 people dead and more than 3000 homeless.
In Freetown, the country’s capital, part of the Sugar Loaf Mountain collapsed, burying dozens of homes under mud. Flooding began during the night, leaving people with little or no warning as flood waters and mud swept into the streets.
Rescue operations are underway, but Freetown is already struggling to cope with the scope of the damage and loss of life which is expected to rise over the coming days.
CBM’s partners are on the ground today assessing where help is needed most. We have been working with local partners in Sierra Leone for over 40 years to support disabled people living in extreme poverty.When disaster strikes, people with disabilities are always among the most vulnerable.
Please join us in prayer and donate now to support CBM’s emergency work (open link in new tab).
Photos by Phileas Jusu, UMNS. Top: Sugar Loaf mountain in Freetown, where a huge mud slide destroyed many homes. Above right: a crowd gathers at the main Freetown government Connaught Hospital Mortuary, where people wait for the chance to identify relatives.
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