Flooding remains one of the most significant challenges facing Sierra Leone, particularly within vulnerable informal settlements across Freetown. During the rainy season, these communities face severe risks due to clogged waterways and accumulated refuse. To lower these hazards and build local resilience, a collaborative six-day flood mitigation exercise began on June 20, 2026.

The initiative brought together the Tzu Chi Foundation, Caritas Freetown, Lanyi Foundation, and Healey International. They worked closely alongside the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Freetown City Council (FCC), and local Community Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs) to clear clogged drainage systems and ensure the free flow of water.

Restoring vital waterways in neighborhoods

The comprehensive cleanup targeted three highly flood-prone communities: Kroo Bay, Susan’s Bay, and George Brook (also known as Dwarzark). Over five continuous days of intensive labor, local volunteers worked to remove tons of accumulated silt, plastic debris, household refuse, and organic waste from heavily choked drainage systems. 

In Kroo Bay, efforts initially focused on key drainage zones, where residents joined forces to clear major channels such as the Samba Gutter and the Little Kroo Street Gutter. The Samba Gutter, which serves as a primary water artery, had become dangerous due to indiscriminate dumping from upland areas. Over successive days, the volume of waste extracted grew significantly, culminating in multiple truckloads being safely evacuated to the Kingtom Dumpsite. 

Meanwhile, in Susan’s Bay, volunteers focused heavily on blocked channels across multiple zones. The community prioritized clearing an overgrown open field that served as a critical passageway for schoolchildren, transforming it back into a safe walkway. In Dwarzark, the scope of work included cleaning critical channels near the Community Health Center and local schools, as well as completely clearing an informal dumping site behind the Baptist Primary School that had long posed severe health hazards to nearby families.

Overcoming daily challenges

The physical layout of the settlements presented daily obstacles for the teams. In Susan’s Bay, narrow pathways, dense structures, and active market congestion made truck access impossible in several zones. Volunteers adapted by manually carrying heavy waste out to the main collection points.

Mechanical and geographical hurdles also arose in Dwarzark. On the second day, a garbage truck suffered a starter fault and could not reach the uphill site. On the third day, the steep incline leading to the Baptist Primary School prevented the trucks from approaching.

Volunteers had to manually transport waste over a distance of more than 300 metres using head pans, wheelbarrows, and empty rice bags to the designated collection point.

Alongside the physical cleanup, changing long-held habits remained a core focus. A float parade vehicle moved through the streets daily, broadcasting educational guidelines on environmental sanitation and flood prevention. Volunteers conducted direct door-to-door awareness sessions, discussing proper waste management and encouraging families to take long-term ownership of their local infrastructure.

By working together, the residents of Kroo Bay, Susan’s Bay, and Dwarzark successfully cleared dozens of truckloads of debris, transforming blocked channels into functional pathways for water. Their shared labor has created a cleaner, safer, and more resilient environment just as the heavy seasonal rains arrive.