Caritas Freetown, with funding from Spanish Catholic NGO Manos Unidas, on Tuesday August 5, 2025 delivered emergency relief to 106 victims of recent fire disasters in three Freetown communities, Kroo Bay, Congo Town and Black Hall Road.

The distribution took place at Caritas Freetown’s headquarters in Kingtom, where beneficiaries received essential food and non-food items. Each household was given a 50kg bag of rice, one gallon each of vegetable and palm oil, onions, Maggi seasoning and salt. Non-food relief included a rubber bucket, laundry soap, scented soap, a lappa (traditional garment for women), sanitary pads, batteries, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

In his remarks, Caritas Freetown’s Programs Manager, Ishmeal Alfred Charles, extended sympathy to the victims and apologized for the delay in the distribution.

“We were scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., but due to unforeseen logistical delays and the rain, we started at 11,” Ishmeal Alfred Charles explained. “No amount of support can replace what you’ve lost, but we hope this relief brings some comfort.”

He attributed the delay in delivering aid to international banking challenges but expressed belief that the timing was still right for those in need.

Ishmeal Alfred Charles underscored that the relief was targeted specifically at victims of the recent fires in the three communities and thanked Manos Unidas for its continued partnership. He described the NGO as a Catholic Church-based organization in Spain committed to fighting poverty and promoting development by addressing its root causes; injustice, limited access to resources and poor education.

Tracing the organization’s history, he explained that Manos Unidas grew out of the Campaign Against Hunger launched in 1959 by Catholic Action Women in Spain, with a mission to combat hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy while empowering communities through sustainable development grounded in dignity and justice.

Freetown City Council’s Councillor, Samuel Kamara, lauded Caritas for its intervention noting that the organization has consistently stood by disaster-affected communities.

“Even though the FCC may not always have the resources to respond directly, we rely on organizations like Caritas to provide the much-needed support,” Samuel Kamara said. “This is not like other cases where promises are made and nothing follows. Today, we see the results.”

One beneficiary, Kadiatu Fofanah of Kroo Bay, emotionally recounted how she lost everything in the fire.

“I had just left home for my small business when I heard my house was on fire. By the time I got there, everything was gone not even my phone or personal belongings survived,” she said. “This is the first real help I’ve received since the fire. Caritas and Manos Unidas have given me hope again.”

Director of Relief and Response at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Sinneh Mansaray, praised Caritas as a key partner in disaster response.

“Caritas consistently mobilizes support from a wide network of donors whenever there is a need,” he said. “These 106 households, each with five to six members, are receiving vital assistance today because of that commitment.”

The intervention underscores Caritas Freetown’s dedication to supporting vulnerable communities in times of crisis and the strength of local-international partnerships in delivering effective disaster response in Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/caritas-freetown-and-manos-unidas-provide-emergency-relief-to-106-fire-victims-in-freetown/