By Millicent Senava Mannah
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in partnership with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), with support from the European Union and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, launched the “Impacts of Displacement” report and held a workshop on data management best practices on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. The event took place at the NDMA Conference Hall, located on 64 Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Aberdeen, Freetown.
The report, which involved interviews with 197 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 31 non-displaced individuals from Plantain Island, Shenge, Tissana and Tombo, focused primarily on the experiences of the displaced population. The findings provide crucial insights into the socio-economic impacts of displacement, touching on livelihoods, health, education, security and housing.
Lieutenant General (Rtd) Brima Sesay, Director-General of NDMA, emphasized the importance of the research in enhancing the Agency’s disaster response capabilities. He explained that the data would help tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of affected populations, prioritizing the most impactful activities.
He further highlighted that the study addressed a critical gap in global knowledge, particularly concerning internal displacement linked to rising sea levels. Many residents of the affected islands, he noted, have lost at least one home due to sea-level rise and coastal erosion.
The representative of the guest speaker, Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, also offered remarks. He described the research as a mirror reflecting the challenges faced by families forced to leave their homes out of necessity. The representative also stressed that climate change is not just an environmental issue but one deeply intertwined with justice, equality and human rights. He reaffirmed the commitment to supporting President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for a climate-resilient economic development strategy for Sierra Leone, an effort in which NDMA plays a key role.
Chiara Valenti, a Research Associate at IDMC, presented findings on the situation in Tombo, where displacement has led household members to take on lower-paying, less secure jobs, disrupting traditional livelihoods. She noted that housing remains a critical issue for displaced individuals, with many facing financial strain due to the transition to renting homes.
“Displacement has significantly impacted the housing situation, with many families living in makeshift shelters, often without any Government or community support,” Chiara Valenti said.
The report revealed that in Tombo, 82% of IDPs rent homes at high costs but report better satisfaction due to improved safety and infrastructure. In contrast, all IDPs in Shenge own their homes, while those in Tissana rely entirely on renting, underscoring the importance of location in understanding the varying impacts of displacement on housing.
The disparities in housing conditions highlight the need for targeted interventions that address both the immediate housing needs of displaced individuals and long-term solutions for more sustainable living arrangements.
The event stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between the NDMA and IDMC in addressing the complex issues surrounding internal displacement in Sierra Leone.
