Tzu Chi Launches Disaster Preparedness Clean-Up in Freetown

On Tuesday, 15th July 2025, the Tzu Chi Foundation, in partnership with Caritas Freetown, launched a focused six-day campaign to clean and raise awareness in three vulnerable slum communities in Freetown: Kroo Bay, Dwarzark, and Susan’s Bay. The initiative aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and promote environmental hygiene ahead of the peak rainy season.

Running daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday, 20th July, the campaign deploys around 45 volunteers per site, coordinated by the Community Disaster Committees (CDCs), to address waste management challenges and improve sanitation.

To facilitate the effort, Tzu Chi Foundation supplied necessary cleaning equipment and protective gear such as shovels, wheelbarrows, head pans, rakes, gloves, rain boots, and raincoats. The Freetown City Council is also supporting the campaign by using its parrot vehicle to broadcast crucial messages on proper waste disposal and disaster risk reduction.

This marks the third major clean-up initiative by the Foundation in these communities over the last three years. Beyond the clean-up exercises, Tzu Chi has awarded grants to local leaders and residents to bolster long-term community resilience and development.

A Tzu Chi representative underscored the importance of assessing the impact of previous campaigns and urged volunteers to focus on clearing drainage systems, culverts, and public spaces thoroughly. “A clean environment is vital to our collective safety, especially during the rainy season,” they said.

Community members were also educated on proper waste disposal and encouraged to care for the tools provided to ensure their availability for future projects.

Residents expressed gratitude for the campaign and appealed for continued support. “With the rains intensifying, waste from the city center flows into our neighborhoods. Sustained cleaning efforts are critical,” one resident remarked.