FreeTown, Sierra Leone
The Death Toll from the recent mudslides from and flooding in Sierra Leone has been revised to 1,000 according to local officials. The disaster occurred when part of Sugar Loaf mountain collapsed on the outskirts of the capital, Freetown. More than 600 people are still missing. It is highly unlikely that the exact number of victims will ever be known. Thousands of people in the Regent area have been evacuated as heavy rains continue to pose a risk to the community. Some critics accuse Sierra Leone's government of failing to learn from past disasters in Freetown, where many poor areas are near sea level and lack good drainage. The capital is also plagued by unregulated construction on its hillsides. Deforestation is also a factor as people cut down trees for firewood.
Climate Change has exacerbated natural disasters and if we do not change our way of life and lessen fossil fuel consumption the natural disasters will worsen.
We here at the Briefing Room send our thoughts to the people whose lives have been devastated as a result of the flooding.
