In response to the severe flooding in Sierra Leone, which has caused loss of life, displacement, and destruction of homes and critical infrastructure across Freetown and the Western Area Urban District, the European Union (EU) is providing humanitarian funding to address the most urgent needs of affected people.
This EU funding will support the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society in delivering emergency assistance to 5,100 people in 27 flood-affected communities through multipurpose cash transfers, emergency shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene services, livelihood recovery, health support. Protection assistance will also be provided to the most vulnerable, including women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The floods, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall earlier in August 2026, caused widespread damage. They damaged or destroyed more than 700 homes, and they disrupted access to basic services and contaminated water sources. Affecting low-lying and densely populated areas, this is Freetown’s worst flood emergency since 2022. As the rainy season continues, the risk of further flash flooding, erosion, and landslides remains high, and communities remain highly vulnerable.
Background
The EU and its Member States are amongst the world’s leading donors of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity towards people in need around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent, and alleviate human suffering and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.
Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department, the EU helps millions of victims of conflicts and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.
The European Commission has signed a €16 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to support the Federation’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF).
The DREF was established in 1979 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF. The IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can be replenished by the donors.