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Torrential rain in Sierra Leone caused fatal flooding and mudslides in August 2017, killing more than 1,000 people, including many children.

In Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, many houses were submerged or swept away, leaving 3,000 people without a safe place to call home.

People were temporarily relocated to schools, churches and mosques in the aftermath of the disaster. They have lost everything: their loved ones, homes, belongings and food supplies.

We are on the ground in Freetown, providing urgent supplies to survivors, but with your help we could do so much more.

In this short film, two Freetown residents, Amara Conteh and Chief Mohamed Kargbo, describe what happened on the day of the mudslide and tell us how Christian Aid helped their community in the aftermath of the emergency.

Survivors of the mudslide

In this short film, two Freetown residents, Amara Conteh and Chief Mohamed Kargbo, describe what happened on the day of the mudslide and tell us how Christian Aid helped their community in the aftermath of the emergency.

How your donations have helped

We are working in the most vulnerable areas of Freetown to help families whose houses were washed away in the early hours of 14 August.

As part of our START Fund emergency response, our partners have distributed food, clothes, hygiene kits and essential household supplies to 150 homeless families (approximately 900 people).

Our partners have also raised awareness of good sanitation and hygiene practices, to help people living in makeshift centres to stay healthy and well.

With your support, we are helping more than 200 children who lost everything in the mudslide. We are giving them school bags, uniforms, shoes, stationery and textbooks, so that they can continue their education.

Your donations are providing:

  • Cash and vouchers
  • Food
  • Hygiene kits
  • Psychological and social support
  • Clothing
  • Water
  • Education

Related content

Podcast

‘Everything they owned has been lost’. Speaking from Freetown, Christian Aid’s country manager for Sierra Leone, Jeanne Kamara describes the aftermath

Blog

This blog features personal stories from a few of the people who received relief supplies from us and our partners, after losing their homes in the di

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