The European Union has supported flood-affected communities in Sierra Leone with €175,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance, describing the funding as an “expression of European solidarity” with those affected.
The assistance, channelled through the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, will support 5,100 people across 27 flood-affected communities in Freetown and the Western Area Urban District. The package includes multipurpose cash transfers, emergency shelter, water and sanitation services, health support and livelihood recovery.
The EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department, DG ECHO, said protection assistance will prioritise vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and people with disabilities.
The floods followed six hours of continuous heavy rainfall on the night of 3 August, causing widespread destruction in low-lying and densely populated communities across Freetown. Local authorities reported that more than 700 homes were damaged or destroyed, 18 community boreholes were contaminated and at least four people died.
The worst-affected communities include Portor Community in Juba Hills, Metchem Community, 44 Femi Turner Drive in Goderich and settlements along the Cain Water Stream.
The EU described the disaster as Freetown’s worst flood emergency since 2022 and warned that the continuing rainy season could bring further flash floods, erosion and landslides.
The funding forms part of the EU’s wider contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund, managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which provides rapid assistance to communities affected by disasters.
