The EU Delegation to Sierra Leone said on Tuesday that the European Union has announced €175,000 in humanitarian funding to help people affected by severe flooding in Sierra Leone, citing the European External Action Service (EEAS). The grant will be channelled through the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, a mechanism for rapid financing that is triggered when a national Red Cross or Red Crescent society responds to an emergency.
The funding will enable the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society to provide immediate relief to some 5,100 people in 27 communities affected by the floods. Planned interventions include multipurpose cash transfers to support households to meet urgent needs, emergency shelter materials, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to reduce the risk of waterborne disease. The response package also includes health support and livelihood recovery activities.
The protection measures will be aimed at vulnerable groups, including women, children, older people and persons with disabilities to ensure assistance reaches those most at risk during and after the floods.
Persistent heavy rains earlier in August 2026 led to flooding affecting Freetown and the Western Area Urban District, causing loss of life, displacement and damage to homes and critical infrastructure, the EU Delegation said. More than 700 homes were reported damaged or destroyed, access to basic services was disrupted, and water sources were contaminated. The Delegation states that the recent event was the worst flood emergency in Freetown since 2022.
The rainy season continues, and communities are at risk of more flash flooding, erosion and landslides, warned authorities and humanitarian partners. DREF funding from the EU aims to provide immediate relief to meet specific needs and to complement broader national and international relief efforts while the needs assessment is being carried out.
