Agencies say shelter needed as rains approach

Aid agencies have two objectives in Sierra Leone as the rainy season approaches, says the UN Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (HACU). They aim to keep rebuilding destroyed homes in areas that have become safe for resettlement and to provide temporary shelter for displaced people whose home areas are still unsafe. Although priority is being given to providing emergency shelter, HACU-Sierra Leone says, resettlement options will continue to be explored. Up to 5,000 homes were destroyed in fighting in Greater Freetown, HACU says, quoting the Ministry of Housing. Agencies have divided affected areas into zones to ensure adequate coverage. Emergency reconstruction has started in Calaba Town in the eastern part of the peninsula. Food, zinc and nails have been distributed to 401 resettling families and there are plans to re-roof 110 low- cost housing units. In parts of the eastern peninsula up to 75 percent of homes were burned down in January when rebels attacked the capital. HACU says agencies also distributed building materials to war- affected people in eastern Freetown and completed construction at some sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs). With relative security around Waterloo, relief operations have been fully resumed in the camp and the rehabilitation of damaged shelters has begun. However, concern remains that the number of IDPs in Greater Freetown now exceeds available shelter. New sites are being built. Some 10,000 IDPs in centres, hospitals and clinics are still receiving items such as mats, clothing, blankets and toiletries.