Freetown, August 6, 2025 — Caritas Freetown, with funding from the Spanish NGO Manos Unidas, delivered emergency relief on Tuesday to 106 victims affected by recent fires in Kroo Bay, Congo Town, and Black Hall Road. The distribution ceremony was held at Caritas Freetown’s headquarters in Kingtom, where beneficiaries received essential food and non-food items.
Each recipient received a 50kg bag of rice, one gallon each of vegetable and palm oil, onions, Maggi seasoning, and salt. Non-food items included rubber buckets, laundry soap, scented soap, traditional lappa garments for women, sanitary pads, batteries, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
Ishmeal Alfred Charles, Programs Manager of Caritas Freetown, expressed his sympathy for the victims and addressed the delay in distribution. “We were scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., but unforeseen logistical issues and rain pushed our start to 11,” he explained. “No amount of support can replace what you’ve lost, but we hope this relief brings some comfort.”
Charles attributed the delay to international banking challenges, emphasizing that the timing of the aid could be seen as fortuitous. He also highlighted the targeted nature of the assistance, thanking Manos Unidas for their ongoing partnership.
“Manos Unidas is dedicated to fighting poverty and promoting development, addressing root causes such as injustice and limited access to resources,” Charles said, sharing the organization’s history rooted in a 1959 campaign against hunger.
Councillor Samuel Kamara from the Freetown City Council praised Caritas Freetown for their support during crises. “While the FCC may not always have the resources to respond directly, we rely on organizations like Caritas,” he stated, assuring beneficiaries of the organization’s commitment to delivering aid.
Kadiatu Fofanah, a beneficiary from Kroo Bay, recounted her devastating experience of losing her home to fire. “I couldn’t save a single item—not even my phone,” she said, expressing profound gratitude for the relief package. “This is the first real help I’ve received since the fire. Caritas and Manos Unidas have given me hope again. May God bless them.”
The emergency response underscores Caritas Freetown’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities during crises and highlights the effectiveness of local-international partnerships in disaster response.
Sinneh Mansaray, Director of Relief and Response at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), commended Caritas Freetown for mobilizing support from their extensive donor network. “Caritas has performed exceptionally well in disaster response,” he noted, explaining the importance of joint assessments to prioritize urgent needs in affected communities.
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