On August 16, 2024, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, launched a comprehensive assessment in response to catastrophic flooding in Kori Chiefdom, Moyamba District.
The flooding has wreaked havoc across sixteen local communities, leading to significant damage and widespread displacement.
The FSRP, which operates across 15 agricultural districts in Sierra Leone, focuses on strengthening the climate resilience of the agriculture sector, particularly in the key value chains of rice, cassava, and livestock. This initiative aims to improve food crisis management through the provision of demand-driven data, advisory services, and enhanced decision-making based on solid evidence.
The NDMA, alongside the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency and the National Water Resource Management Agency, plays a crucial role in delivering early warnings to farmers.
The recent assessment aims to support farmers who have experienced devastating crop losses due to the flooding.
Persistent heavy rainfall triggered the floods, which have submerged homes, farmlands, and livestock, affecting 400 households and displacing 1,400 people in the affected villages. This disaster highlights the urgent humanitarian and agricultural crisis facing the region.
Agricultural losses have been severe, with approximately 250 hectares of farmland now underwater, leading to catastrophic crop losses and severely impacting the income of local farmers.
Among those hardest hit is Hon. Jolly M. Lavalie, a former Member of Parliament and master farmer, who lost his entire 1,000 hectares of farmland to the floodwaters.
Small-scale farmers have also been severely affected. Mr. James Amara from Lorgor Kessinima lost his entire 500-hectare rice plantation.
The flooding has isolated many villages within Kori Chiefdom, and initial reports indicate that several homes have been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, forcing families to seek refuge in makeshift shelters.
Women, children, and the elderly are among the most vulnerable in the wake of this disaster. The flooding has destroyed healthcare centers and schools, further disrupting access to essential services and exacerbating the challenges faced by the affected communities.
Community leaders in Kori Chiefdom are urgently calling on the government and emergency agencies for immediate intervention to mitigate the impact on the local population. They are also advocating for long-term investment in resilient infrastructure to withstand the growing threats posed by climate change.
The NDMA, FSRP, and other partners will analyze the findings from this assessment to ensure a swift and effective response to the needs of the affected farmers and to develop strategies for preventing future flood-related damage to farmland across the country.
Similar flooding incidents have been reported in other regions of Sierra Leone, and the NDMA plans to extend its assessments to these areas to improve overall disaster response and management.
Source: NDMA
