On 24 April 2026, a joint humanitarian response was successfully carried out by Tzu Chi Foundation in collaboration with Caritas Freetown to support victims of the devastating fire outbreak that occurred on 30 March 2026 in the Moa Wharf community. The distribution exercise took place at Henry Ferguson School, which served as a central and accessible point for the affected population.
A total of 209 households, severely impacted by the fire incident, received essential relief items aimed at addressing their immediate food, hygiene, and basic household needs. The items distributed included rice (10kg bags), palm oil, vegetable oil, onions, salt, assorted Maggi, rubber buckets, sanitary pads, solar touch lights, empty 5-gallon containers, drinking cups, cotton materials (lappa), blankets, toothpaste, pants, and mats.
The event commenced with brief yet impactful statements from key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, the Headman of Moa Wharf, Mr. Ibrahim, and the Country Representative of Tzu Chi, Margaret Bassie.
Speaking on behalf of NDMA, Mr. Sylvester acknowledged the scale of the devastation caused by the fire and empathized deeply with the affected families. He noted that disasters of such magnitude always leave communities in prolonged vulnerability, especially where housing and livelihoods are lost. He commended Tzu Chi and Caritas Freetown for the support. He further reassured the community that NDMA remains committed to working with partners to explore longer-term recovery solutions, particularly in areas of shelter and risk reduction.
The Headman of Moa Wharf, Mr. Ibrahim, expressed heartfelt gratitude to both Tzu Chi and Caritas Freetown for the intervention. Hemphasized that access to food is crucial as the first step for families attempting to recover from such a traumatic experience. According to him, many victims are currently homeless, with some taking refuge in a community center that was not affected by the fire, while others are staying temporarily with relatives and supportive neighbors. He highlighted that the most urgent need for the community is shelter, followed closely by livelihood support to help families regain their independence. He further noted that Tzu Chi and Caritas Freetown are the first and only organizations to have responded so far, and he appealed for continued assistance to help the community rebuild its lives.
Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, delivered a message centered on solidarity and compassion. He emphasized that the intervention reflects Caritas’ commitment to standing with vulnerable communities during their most difficult moments. He noted that while the items distributed may not fully replace what was lost, they are intended to provide immediate relief and a sense of hope. He encouraged the affected households to remain resilient and assured them that Caritas will continue to advocate for additional support, particularly in addressing shelter and livelihood recovery needs. He also appreciated the partnership with Tzu Chi, describing it as a demonstration of shared humanitarian values in action.
Margaret Bassie, Country Representative of Tzu Chi, provided a clear explanation of the distribution process to ensure transparency and fairness. She explained that certain items, particularly rice and blankets, would be allocated based on household size to better meet varying needs. Households with five or more members received five bags of 10kg rice and two blankets, while those with three members or fewer received two bags of 10kg rice and one blanket. All other items were distributed equally across households. She emphasized that this approach was designed to ensure equity while recognizing differences in family size and consumption needs. She also encouraged beneficiaries to use the items responsibly and reiterated Tzu Chi’s commitment to serving communities with compassion and respect.
The distribution was conducted in an orderly manner, with beneficiaries expressing appreciation for the support received. Many of the victims conveyed their gratitude to both Tzu Chi and Caritas Freetown, noting that the assistance would significantly ease their immediate hardship with food and help them as they continue their process of recovery.
