AHF Offers Condolences to the People of Sierra Leone and donates Relief Materials to Mud Slide Survivors

Ashraf Abo Arafe

As the people of Sierra Leone grapple to get their lives back on track following the devastating impact of the August 14^th mudslide, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has expressed its deepest sympathy to Sierra Leoneans and donated relief materials to support survivors.

The mudslide, which hit five communities (Regent, Juba-Kaningo, Malama- Kamayama, Regent-Matormeh and Culvert), claimed over 400 lives and displaced over 4,000 people is one of the most recent calamities that has beset a country who, just a few years ago, was battling Ebola.

As part of humanitarian response to the crisis, AHF donated items to the affected communities on the 30^th of August. These items included food items, water, mattresses, diapers, baby food, and toiletries. In addition, the team also provided medical care to those injured and other minor ailments.

“It saddens us greatly to see the lives that have been shattered as a result of this, it brings back painful memories of our struggle with Ebola few years ago. AHF Sierra Leone was an integral part of the Ebola response and once again we are here to support our government and people as we chart our way to recovery,” shared Miata Jambawai, Country Program Manager, AHF Sierra Leone. “Through this support, we were able to reach over 350 affected persons (100 Men, 150 Women and 100 Children),” she added.

Representing the government at the formal donation exercise last week was the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Zuliakatu Cooper, who commended AHF’s support in a time when the country needs it the most, while encouraging survivors. “I am particularly happy about the items you have brought which also targets children; to avoid outbreak of malnutrition, malaria, and typhoid. His Excellency, The President will be proud that we have so many organizations like yours coming out to support and as a nation, we will stand together,” she said.

While the mudslides may have ceased, its debilitating effect begs for more to be done, and AHF is urging the global community to throw its weight behind Sierra Leone. “The world cannot move on as though nothing has happened, we need to rally around the people of Sierra Leone and support the government in rebuilding their lives and homes. Individuals like Mr. Benson Koroma- one of the victims who lost his house and eight (8) of his family members at Regent needs every support he can get to find the courage to live, and that responsibility rests on all of us,” added Dr. Wamae Maranga, Deputy Bureau Chief, AHF Africa.