The August 14 2017 landslide and flash flood disaster killed hundreds and caused millions of dollars in damage. Thousands of people were left homeless.
Temporary shelters were set up at Old Skool and Juba. Million of dollars were donated to the country and victims of the landslide and floods.
After close to 100 days in temporary shelters, the displaced people were evicted on 15 November 2017. Prior to the mass eviction, some people were given Le2 million to find accommodation and set up new lives. Some victims of the flooding were left out of the cash transfer.
According to Ishmael Kamara, landslide victim, ”This money is not even enough to find a decent house. And how can they expect us to leave those communities. If you want a decent house in a convenient location, the cost is over $1,000 a year.
Another flood victim at Dworzark, Alfred Koroma, said, “I have walked the length and breadth of this country. There is no decent house for Le2 million.”
Alimamy Sesay, who was left homeless by the floods, said, “I have no option unless I move to Waterloo, which is too far out of the city for me and my family. My life is very important and I lost five of my relatives in the disaster and I don’t want such things to occur to anybody.”
On Sunday 12 November 2017, several allegations were made against the police and army personnel who were ordered to evict residents of the tent shelters at Old Skool. Musu Sesay said, “My husband was severely beaten by police officers and he is presently in hiding because they promised to go after him again.”
The National Security Coordinator, Office of National Security (ONS), Ishmael Tarawallie, said, “Even though the camps are officially closde today. We are going to allow only those victims that have not yet received their money and packages to stay.”
Exact numbers of victims, people who’ve received money, amounts of cash disbursements and the number of people in the camps are unknown. The ONS has yet to announce or calculate the numbers.
On the 15 November 2017, the white UNICEF tents were empty as the last set of victims boarded a WFP truck heading to the eastern end of Freetown. Most of the victims are heading for Waterloo, Grafton and Hastings. MJB/15/11/17
By Mohamed J. Bah
Thursday November 16, 2017.
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