From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Israeli food aid begins arriving to devastated Sierra Leone
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleIsraeli envoy to west Africa Paul Hirschson says the first Israeli aid to mudslide-hit Sierra Leone has been delivered, tweeting a picture of pallets of baked beans.
It's been a long day. 1st international aid to #SierraLeone delivered. Proud to say it's from @Israel through @MASHAVisrael pic.twitter.com/zaKCsyKtcx
— Paul Hirschson???? (@paulhirschson) August 15, 2017
Officials in the impoverished country say at least 300 people have been killed and another 600 are missing after mudslides hit capital Freetown Monday morning.
Thousands lost their homes in the disaster, which was triggered by heavy rains.
Very proud of @IsraelMFA , @IsraelinSenegal and @MASHAVisrael !! Food assistance for thousands for #SierraLeoneMudSlide already in place???????????????? pic.twitter.com/xwd3xGTVzk
— Emmanuel Nahshon ????️ (@EmmanuelNahshon) August 15, 2017
The death toll is expected to rise.
President Ernest Bai Koroma begged Tuesday for urgent help as the country tried to cope with the large disaster.
Koroma fought back tears as he said the devastation “was overwhelming us”.
“Entire communities have been wiped out,” Koroma said at the disaster site.
“We need urgent support now,” he added.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said earlier that medical aid would follow the food aid. Britain and the Red Cross are also providing help.
Independent humanitarian group IsraAid says it has a team on the ground providing “relief and psycho social support” for those affected.
— with agencies
The Times of Israel Community.