Freetown, July 15, 2025 — In a proactive move to boost disaster preparedness and sanitation during Sierra Leone’s rainy season, the Tzu Chi Foundation, in partnership with Caritas Freetown, kicked off a six-day community cleaning and awareness campaign across three vulnerable slum areas in Freetown: Kroo Bay, Dwarzark, and Susan’s Bay.
Running daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Sunday, July 20, the initiative mobilized around 45 volunteers per site, coordinated by local Community Disaster Committees (CDCs). The campaign aims to reduce the risk of flooding and disease outbreaks in densely populated neighborhoods by promoting environmental hygiene and responsible waste disposal.
To equip the volunteers, the Tzu Chi Foundation provided essential sanitation tools and protective gear—including shovels, wheelbarrows, head pans, rakes, gloves, rain boots, and raincoats. The Freetown City Council’s parrot vehicle was also deployed to disseminate key messages on proper waste management and disaster risk reduction, using loudspeakers to reach residents in even the narrowest alleyways.
“This marks the third time we’ve organized such a cleaning drive in these communities,” said a Tzu Chi representative. “Beyond removing waste, we’re here to evaluate past efforts and encourage targeted cleaning of drainage systems, culverts, and public spaces, which are crucial to keeping the community safe during peak rainfall.”
In addition to the cleanup effort, the Foundation has granted support to local leaders and residents to foster long-term resilience and development. The sensitization component of the initiative emphasized individual responsibility—urging residents to properly dispose of waste and maintain the equipment provided for future use.
Residents welcomed the initiative warmly, citing the importance of ongoing support as rainfall intensifies. “Flooding carries waste down from the city center into our neighborhoods,” one community member explained. “If these cleaning campaigns can continue, they will truly help protect our homes and families.”
By combining tools, training, and teamwork, the Tzu Chi Foundation and Caritas Freetown are setting a commendable example of community-led disaster mitigation in urban slum settings. With the rainy season in full force, their efforts offer timely relief and a pathway toward safer, cleaner, and more resilient communities.