Politics: West African countries and China rise up to help Sierra Leone, provide over $2 million in aid

China is positioning itself as one partner Africa cannot do without.

Countries in the West African region have come to the aid of Sierra Leone after a deadly mudslide caused a humanitarian crisis in the country.

The mudslide was the aftermath of the flood that swept away homes in Freetown. About 300 people were killed and 2,000 residents displaced on Monday 14th August 2017.

The Togolese President and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Faure Gnassingbe donated $500,000 to the country. $300,000 was also donated on behalf of ECOWAS by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Marcel Alain De Souza to cater for food and medical reliefs.

Other neighbouring countries such as Senegal contributed $100,000.  Ivory Coast – a tonne and half of medical supplies, Ghana – set up a public help centre to receive donations from the public and send it to Sierra Leone.

The biggest donations came from the Chinese government who donated $1 million. The Chinese government also provided aid workers to offer medical help to injured victims.

President Ernest Bai Koroma appreciated the donors for the show of solidarity. And also for the timely interventions in terms of aids and medical reliefs.

“Such solidarity shows a sense of belonging in the typical African way when one of us is facing difficulties,” he said.

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