Caritas Freetown, CAFOD Provide Building Materials to 40 Flood-Affected Households
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo Caritas Freetown, with support from the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), has provided building materials to 40 vulnerable households across communities in the Western Area to support recovery from flood-related damage and strengthen resilience.
The intervention is part of Caritas Freetown’s project, “Strengthening Community Flood Preparedness and Early Humanitarian Response for Vulnerable Communities and Households in Western Area Urban and Rural Districts, Sierra Leone.”
Beneficiaries were selected from eight communities—Culvert, Portee, Bonga Town and Gray Bush in the Western Area Urban District, as well as Goderich-Crab Town, Levuma, Waterloo-Bofla and Grafton in the Western Area Rural District. Items distributed included cement, zinc roofing sheets, timber and roofing nails to assist in repairing damaged homes.
Project Lead, Alimatu D. Turay, said the organisation opted for in-kind support following concerns over how previous cash assistance was utilized.
“We changed our approach by providing building materials instead of cash support to ensure the assistance directly addresses housing needs,” she said.
She added that beneficiaries were identified based on vulnerability, including widows and persons with disabilities, and noted that follow-up monitoring would be conducted to ensure proper use of the materials.
Representing the Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Paul Jusu said the support reflects the Catholic Church’s commitment to promoting human dignity and assisting vulnerable communities.
He encouraged beneficiaries to use the materials responsibly and reaffirmed the Church’s continued support.
CAFOD Programme Manager for Sierra Leone and Liberia, Dennis Momoh said his visit was intended to verify project implementation on the ground.
While expressing satisfaction with the progress, he emphasized the need for further intervention, noting that funding remains a challenge.
Board representative Peter Menjor commended CAFOD’s support and stressed the importance of accountability, cautioning beneficiaries against selling the materials.
Community Chief Amadu Jalloh of Crab Town acknowledged Caritas Freetown’s consistent support, including previous community clean-up efforts that helped reduce flooding.
He assured that local authorities would monitor beneficiaries to ensure the materials are used appropriately.
Beneficiary Kadiatu Yillah expressed gratitude, describing the support as timely and significant.
She said the materials would help restore parts of her home damaged by flooding and highlighted the broader impact of flooding on households.
The intervention underscores ongoing efforts by Caritas Freetown and its partners to strengthen disaster preparedness and support vulnerable communities in flood-prone areas.