ICRC conducting needs survey

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) have started a needs assessment in four districts prior to a distribution of seeds and tools, ICRC Information Delegate Priska Spoerri told IRIN on Thursday. “The survey started last week and is expected to last three to four weeks,” Spoerri said. The teams are now in the eastern district of Kenema, Tonkolili District east of Freetown, and Pujehun District in the far south. If their security is guaranteed, they will also travel to Kailahun District in the east, she added. The assessment is directed at some 40,000 families who are destitute, including displaced people, refugees, and resident farmers, whose houses or crops were looted during the war. “Some of the local chiefs will help point out the people who are in most need,” Spoerri said. After the survey has been completed, the ICRC and the SLRCS will distribute 40 kg of rice seed, 10 kg of groundnuts, vegetable seed, hoes, plastic sheeting, kitchen sets, blankets, sleeping mats, and soap to each family, the ICRC said.