Landslide Destroys Six Houses in Moyiba Community

July 30, 2024

A devastating landslide has buried six houses in Sierra Leone's Moyiba community following heavy rainfall over the weekend. Thankfully, there have been no fatalities reported, though the property damage is extensive, amounting to millions of leones.

Mohamed L. Bah, Communications Director at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), explained that prior warnings and evacuation advisories were crucial in preventing loss of life. The landslide was triggered by blocked waterways on the hills, which caused water to reroute, destabilizing the hillside and resulting in its collapse.

Despite the warnings, some residents failed to evacuate in time, highlighting the community's inadequate infrastructure. Moyiba, located on the eastern outskirts of Freetown, has experienced rapid population growth without corresponding improvements in infrastructure, particularly in drainage and waste management systems. This vulnerability is exacerbated by pollution from a dam built by the NGO Action Contre La Faim due to improper waste disposal.

In response, local leaders and community groups are developing a cleanup plan and addressing waste management issues. The Community Disaster Management Committee is actively raising awareness and enforcing new bylaws to prevent improper waste disposal, especially in sensitive areas like streams.

Efforts are underway to reinforce the dam and improve waste management practices in Moyiba, aiming to reduce future risks and enhance the community’s resilience to natural disasters.