Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has detailed government response efforts following a devastating fire at an informal settlement housing persons living with disabilities on Pademba Road, an incident that displaced about 250 residents and claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl.

In a statement titled “The Chief’s Diary: Fire Disaster at Informal Dwelling of Persons Living with Disabilities at Pademba Road,” Sengeh said he received early morning distress calls from the Minister of Social Welfare and the Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) reporting the scale of the disaster.

“A major fire incident destroyed all the properties inhabited by about 250 persons and even took the life of an 8-yr old girl,” Sengeh stated.

The Chief Minister said he later led a delegation to the scene that included the Ministers of Planning and Social Welfare, the Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and the European Union Ambassador. The team met with affected residents to express condolences and assess immediate needs.

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“I spoke with the parents of the deceased and assured them that government will support the funeral rites,” Sengeh said.

According to the statement, the government has already begun providing assistance to victims, including temporary housing arrangements, food, and toiletries. Sengeh also announced personal contributions to the relief effort.

“In addition to what the government has done including sorting their housing, providing food and toiletries, I have personally provided a Kekeh for their transportation, [and] three bales of used clothing for the children, ladies and men,” he added.

Sengeh emphasized that further support is required and called on the public to contribute through official channels, including the NDMA, NCPD, and the Ministry of Social Welfare.

“They need more support and we invite the public to donate generously,” he said.

During the visit, the Chief Minister also inspected ongoing construction work at the Approved School compound, where 56 rooms are being built to accommodate persons living with disabilities. The project, he noted, is supported by the Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is intended to address housing vulnerabilities faced by the group.

“With support from the Indian government and the UNDP, the Ministry of Social Welfare has been undertaking this effort to prevent this exact problem,” Sengeh said.

The statement further noted that a representative of the affected community expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio, describing him as “talk and do” and acknowledging a prior commitment to relocate residents from the Pademba Road settlement.

“He promised to move them from Pademba Road well before he became president and he is today implementing that promise,” Sengeh reported.

Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of the fire, and investigations are expected to follow as relief efforts continue.