The Achievers Foundation, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, has launched the ECOWAS 2021 post-flood recovery assistance project at the District Council Hall in Mattru Jong and also commenced direct cash transfers to six thousand verified beneficiaries across Sierra Leone.
The launch attracted numerous stakeholders/participants, including the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Mattru Jong, the Director General and Deputy of the NDMA, the Deputy Chairman of Bonthe District Council, the regional coordinator of the Office of National Security in Bonthe, beneficiaries, and dedicated personnel from both the Achievers Foundation and the NDMA.
It may be recalled that in early January 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) approved a project proposal from the NDMA to support flood victims who suffered devastating effects of the 2021 floods across the country.
This project is being implemented by a reputable local organization called Achievers Foundation. This support from ECOWAS has highlighted the essence of regional collaboration and solidarity in times of adversity.
In March 2024, the Achievers Foundation, with support from expert assessment officers from the NDMA, undertook a rigorous verification process aimed at meticulously scrutinizing and authenticating the beneficiary data provided by the NDMA.
Through careful cross-referencing of this data with ground realities, the Achievers Foundation was able to perfect the database and ensure that identified victims under this project are eligible for assistance and equitable distribution amongst victims across the country.
During the project’s launch, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kanya Ballay, expressed her profound gratitude towards the Achievers Foundation and the NDMA for their proactive stance in executing this vital verification process.
She emphasised the paramount importance of transparency and accountability throughout the project, stressing fair and just distribution of the money to each deserving beneficiary.
Additionally, she thanked the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone for establishing the National Disaster Management Agency, tasked with mitigating disasters and enhancing resilience against future disasters within the country.
“This support package, comprising NLe2,000 direct cash transfers to each victim and the provision of essential Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) items, aims to alleviate the plight of those hardest hit by the 2021/2022 floods across the nation, fostering their rehabilitation and sustaining their livelihoods,” she said.
The Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Brima Sesay, provided a brief background on the agency’s roles and responsibilities. He emphasised that Bonthe District is the most prone district in the country and highlighted the agency’s consistent response to various disasters within the district, providing both food and non-food items. He further noted that the agency has recorded 492 disasters and has responded to 291 across the country.
The DG continued: “It is worth noting that other flood-affected districts slated to benefit from this commendable support include Moyamba, Pujehun, Kailahun, Port Loko, Falaba, and the Western Area,” The DG surmised.
NDMA’s Director of Communications, Mohamed L. Bah stated that he was extremely privileged to have played an important role in materializing this project on behalf of his office and the flood victims. He pointed out that the transfer of direct cash to the hardest-hit victims holds great significance in sustaining their livelihood activities.
Out of the One Thousand (1000) beneficiaries set to benefit from Bonthe District, a total of One Hundred and Sixty (160) victims received NLE 2,000 each immediately after the launch. The distribution of direct cash transfers in the riverine communities in Bonthe District will continue this week.