The President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma on Tuesday called on the international community to support the country following Monday’s mudslides that have claimed hundreds of lives.
Baii Koroma is reported by the AFP news agency to have said that the disaster which happened in the capital, Freetown, “was overwhelming us”.
The President also told journalists at the Regent hilltop community of Freetown, the area worst hit by the mudslides that his country is in dire need of “urgent support now” to deal with the disaster.
Rescue workers continue to retrieve more bodies from destroyed homes and muddy pools with over 300 people reported to have died from the disaster.
There are now fears of possible outbreak of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Reuters news agency reported that Sierra Leone’s Red Cross Society spokesman Abu Bakarr Tarawallie said “We estimate that at least 3,000 people are homeless … they need shelter, medical assistance and food”.
“We are also fearful of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. We can only hope that this does not happen.” Bakarr Tarawallie added.
Countries like Israel and the UK have said they would be sending aid to help.
Source: Africafeeds.com
