Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone Windstorm and Fire - DREF Operation (MDRSL020)

Country: Sierra Leone Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Date of event 14-05-2026 What happened, where and when? Throughout May 2026, several fire incidents and localized windstorms were reported across different parts of Sierra Leone. While many incidents were managed at community and district level, two major events in mid-May caused widespread destruction and humanitarian needs that required emergency support and coordinated response actions. On 13 May 2026, multiple large-scale fire incidents occurred simultaneously in several communities in Freetown in the Western Area, as well as in Karene and Kono districts. The fires mainly affected densely populated settlements where overcrowded housing conditions, unsafe electrical connections, and highly flammable construction materials contributed to the rapid spread of flames. Preliminary reports from local authorities and rapid assessment teams indicated significant destruction of homes, household property, and small business assets, leaving many families displaced and in need of emergency shelter and basic relief assistance. Due to the scale and impact of the incidents, humanitarian response mechanisms were activated to support affected communities. In addition, on 14 May 2026, a severe windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall affected eight communities in Kono and Falaba districts. The storm caused extensive damage to shelters and public infrastructure, with strong winds ripping off roofs and collapsing weak structures. Schools, religious buildings, and other community facilities were also damaged, disrupting essential services and community activities. Initial rapid assessments confirmed that many households were left without adequate shelter ...

Original source: Relief Web