In a tragic recurrence, the Moyiba community in Sierra Leone has been hit by another significant landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall over the past weekend. The landslide resulted in the burial of at least six houses under debris. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, but the incident has caused extensive property damage, with losses amounting to millions of leones.
According to Mohamed L. Bah, Director of Communications at the National Disaster Management Agency, “The landslide occurred at night. Prior visits to the area led us to advise residents to evacuate, which they did, averting any loss of life.” Bah explained that blocked waterways from the hills forced water to carve new paths, destabilizing the area and leading to the hillside’s collapse. He noted that some residents failed to heed earlier warnings about the dangers.
Moyiba, located on the eastern outskirts of Freetown, has experienced rapid population growth without adequate infrastructure development. The community lacks proper drainage systems and waste management facilities, exacerbating the risks during the rainy season. Many residents resort to dumping waste in local water sources, including a dam built by the NGO Action Contre La Faim, which has been compromised by the pollution.
In response to the disaster, local leaders, including community chiefs, youth, and women’s groups, held meetings to devise a cleanup plan and prevent further waste dumping. The community has initiated efforts to fortify the dam and promote better waste management practices. The Community Disaster Management Committee and other local stakeholders are actively raising awareness and enforcing bylaws to curb improper waste disposal, particularly in public areas like streams.
These efforts aim to mitigate future risks and improve living conditions in Moyiba, which remains vulnerable to natural disasters exacerbated by human activity. The National Disaster Management Agency continues to monitor the situation closely and provide support to the affected residents.The recent landslide underscores the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure development and effective disaster management strategies in Moyiba. As the community rallies together to rebuild and implement preventative measures, it is hoped that such initiatives will reduce the impact of future natural disasters and enhance the resilience of Moyiba’s residents.