By Serious work around rescuing and reuniting survivors of the Sierra Leone mudslide is still ongoing as Aid organizations are everywhere digging up survivors from the mess. According to reports from International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Red Cross volunteers, in particular, have been ‘digging for survivors and supporting distraught families in the wake of heavy flooding that have ripped through Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown.
In the statement from IFRC, ‘current estimates indicate that as many as 3,000 have been made homeless,’ and still ‘this figure is expected to rise as the picture becomes clearer.’
Abdul Nasir, the Programme Coordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has been working alongside these teams, and has described the devastation as a wash off on the city. He however noted that aid workers have been on site to help rescue lives from the untoward mess.
‘In places, entire communities seem to have been washed away and whatever is left is covered in mud. Red Cross volunteers have been on site since this morning and have been digging with their bare hands and whatever tools available to find survivors.’
The Programme Coordinator, Abdul Nasir confirmed that the Aid team is ensuring the already rescued persons are in good hands as they await reunion with other members of their family. According to him, there is a scheme ‘caring for and helping family members who are desperately waiting for news of their loved ones.’
Available report noted that the mudslides surfaced ‘following three days of torrential rains. Thus, Communication lines and electricity have been disrupted and the full extent and damage from the mudslides have yet to be determined.’
Reporter: Ridwan A Olayiwola