Statement on World Humanitarian Day

Today, Saturday 19^th August is World Humanitarian Day. The day climaxed with a catastrophic humanitarian crisis that grips our country – Sierra Leone when a terrific mudslide and flood swept hundreds of lives and rendered many more hundreds perishing homelessly or in hospitals.

Barely 5 days ago, on Monday 14^th August, the sudden and gruesome accident dealt a cruel blow to humanity and challenged us in the face of despair to deliver the most humanitarian services ever.

Once again, the occasion highlighted the role of humanitarian aid workers in our country that stood on the forefront of disaster, braving tremendous dangers and difficulties to deliver assistance to those who need it most.

We salute and recognize our heroes aid workers – the Army, Police, Medics, and able-bodied Civilians Volunteers who risked their lives in humanitarian service, and the government too for mobilizing people to advocate for humanitarian and financial action and support for the victims.

We mourned and sympathies with those who lost their lives in the crisis or are affected indirectly in their humanitarian service and those who continue to bring assistance and relief to the hundreds.

However, we would like to draw the attention of the Government of Sierra Leone that our country more than ever before requires special attention to humanitarian response needs and the setting up of a consortium of disaster response needs with local and international partners cooperating in meeting those needs.

The Government must stop its negligence of enforcing environmental laws related to land distribution, housing and country planning which effect may have partly responsible for the irreparable loss of lives on Monday 14^th August.

Last but not the least, we call on the government to investigate the disaster and bring out a conclusive report fort action to prevent a re-occurrence.

Signed

John Koroma                                                                                                                                        

Executive Director, Stop It-Sierra Leone

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