Moa Wharf is like many other slum communities in the eastern part of Freetown, and was not spared from the Ebola invasion in 2014.
Like most deprived communities, Moa Wharf lacked the basic amenities to make life comfortable, but it had a population of 5,000 in 2014, with only one toilet leaving the rest of mankind to openly defecate on the water front of the wharf.
During the Ebola outbreak, the community which fishing is the main source of livelihood was not spared from the invasion, and this was as a result of the huge cluster of population, residing together and sharing the limited water and sanitation facility.
After collective efforts from both internal and external, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the country Ebola free, and the Government made public assurances to improve on facilities in communities, including support to Ebola orphans and survivors.
One year on after the war on ebola was conquered, Awoko took a walk down to Moa Wharf to see how residents have been coping with life, especially to ascertain whether the assurances made by government have become a reality.
Moa Wharf community is at the back of Guard Street stretching down to the back of Cline Town.
One year on, the road which leads to the community can tell that despite series of public education during and after the ebola epidemic to always observe hygiene, which was one reason responsible for the spread of the disease, was not adhered, because the road is littered with filth and drainages filled with debris, as if community cleaning has been condemned to death.
On arrival after some minutes of walk down to the community, Mohamed Mansaray a resident of 28 years at Moa Wharf, volunteered to be guide to Awoko and as the tour began, the young man also served as a resource information reservoir, explaining that since the country was declared ebola, the population has doubled from 5,000 in 2014 and is now about 10,000, with very limited facilities to serve the community.
At the community barray, Mohamed introduced Awoko to the local authorities, as well as members of the disaster management team during the ebola outbreak.
On the issue of orphans, and survivors the disaster management chairman, Alhassan Mansaray disclosed that during the epidemic the community had 31 infected cases, 9 deaths and 22 survivors who are finding it very difficult to cope with survival.
Mr Mansaray explained that among the 22 survivors are women, men and children who receive access to free medical as promised by government, noting that sometimes the survivors face challenges at the various designated facilities assigned.
With regards to education, the disaster management chair informed that the community lacks school and the children have to go to nearby communities to access education, which is not free.
Questioned about the availability of proper water and sanitation facilities to meet the demands of the increase in population, with one voice the local authorities said they understand that government wants them out of slum communities, and have not carried out any intervention in terms of water and sanitation, but Goal Ireland constructed a toilet facility, while YMCA provided pipe borne water for residents and is presently constructing a toilet, to cushion the pressure on the only toilet constructed by Goal Ireland.
In short a population of 10,000 have access to two toilets, which means the bulk of the population including children who cannot access the facility still do open defecation, which is a big risk to hygiene control, thus exposing the community to disease outbreak.
Despite government not fulfilling its promises as a result of several unexplained reasons, residents of Moa Wharf are coping with the harsh realities of everyday life, through fishing, their main business and other small businesses just to make ends meet.
The women are engaged in smoke fish selling from the catch the men make when the weather condition is favourable to go out to sea, another risky venture which sometimes turns fatal.
As always the women, despite advocating for equal percentage with the men toed the line of the men to appeal to government and its partners to fulfil its promises to Ebola orphans and survivors, in order that they get a new lease of life.
By Ade Campbell
Thursday November 10, 2016
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