He went on to say that, in 2016, SALHOC again celebrated the day with residents of Freetown at the Western Area Rural District Council Hall with the theme; “Recognizing the Basic Right of Everyone to Adequate Shelter”. He furthered that this year’s celebration would be focusing on slum dwellers while he added that they would be engaging them on how to keep their environment safe so that they would save lives.
The Deputy General Manager continued by saying that, they would be paying special attention to the need for better shelter for all especially for victims of the recent flood disaster. He said that, they would be sensitizing slum dwellers on the relationship between proper accommodation, health as well as their wellbeing. “We would also reflect on sprawls of slums in the cities and pay attention to the basic human rights for adequate shelter. “We would also be working on modalities that would help in improving our environment and make it more attractive for living”. He added. Magnus therefore called on all and sundry jointly increase the nationwide awareness about keeping our environments safe as that is the best way to save lives.
Speaking to AYV on behalf of slum dwellers, the Section Chief of the Race Course Community Chief Ya-Alimammy Toronka began by saying that they are not happy living in slum areas but have no option but to continue living there as they have spent almost all their lives in the communities. She said that, they in the Race Cross Community never knew what flooding was until the Burmeh Dustbin was established in their community. She went on to say that they experienced the first flooding in 2015 and since then, live has not been good for them in community especially in the rains. “We cannot afford to live this community for any other community because we have invested so much in this community”. She added.
The Section Chief went on to say that most of her community people are currently been displaced and therefore called on the government and other humanitarian organizations to put measures in place in ensuring their welfare is been taken care of
