April 16, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
Sixty-six people including women and children are homeless after heavy storm blew off their houses in the Buya community, Kissy Teng Chiefdom, Kailahun district. According to the Office of National Security (ONS), cutting of trees is a factor responsible for what happened over the weekend.
The Chiefdom Security Coordinator attached to the ONS, Tamba Lamin revealed that based on their assessment, it was discovered that people are still in the habit of cutting trees despite several warnings. He said the people did not seem to comply adding that they took their time explaining the negative impact of deforestation and the need for tree planting habit to be inculcated. He said campaign was done through mega phones, community meetings as well as on the radio for people to desist from such practice but they could not listen. He reaffirmed that was the first time such kind of storm hit the chiefdom.
One of the victims whose house got destroyed, Fatmata Sam said the place was too dark for rescue operations noting that the books of her four school going children perished in the water. According to Mohamed Turay, he is devastated as a school-goer having lost his school materials due to the stormy rain which he said washed away much of their household properties.
The Town Chief, Tamba Denise, has commended ONS, the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society and Save the Children for reaching the ground and providing supports for the victims.
Nineteen houses were destroyed including those of the Deputy Town Chief and the Town Chief and currently sixty-six are homeless fearing and praying that another storm does not strike.