By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a humanitarian effort aimed at aiding Sierra Leonean migrant workers stranded in Lebanon, the Sierra Leone Consulate and the Sierra Leonean Community Committee in Lebanon have mobilized essential supplies, including food, blankets and bedding. This campaign, significantly bolstered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), addresses the immediate needs of migrant workers who have sought refuge in areas not affected by recent bombardments in Beirut and surrounding regions.
The initiative comes at a challenging time for these migrant workers, many of whom expressed sorrow over the passing of Sierra Leone’s former Consul to Lebanon, Pa Hashim Hashim. Known for his fatherly support, his loss has left a void for those relying on his guidance and assistance. Nevertheless, gratitude was evident among the stranded workers for the continued support of the Consulate and community leaders like President of the Sierra Leone Community Committee, Mousa Saksouk and the Committee’s Secretary General, Jaward Gbondema Borniea, who have been instrumental in coordinating relief efforts.
With an urgent need to return home, one migrant expressed appreciation for the Consulate’s dedication, saying, “We look forward to our safe repatriation back home to Sierra Leone.”
Secretary General Jaward Gbondema Borniea commented on the rising number of stranded Sierra Leoneans in Lebanon and emphasized the Consulate’s efforts to secure emergency travel documents and work alongside the IOM to arrange repatriation for the most vulnerable. Mathieu Luciano, head of the IOM office in Beirut, confirmed that the UN agency has received more than 15,000 return requests from various nationalities, including 1,300 Sierra Leoneans, as an estimated 17,500 migrants have been displaced in Lebanon by recent hostilities.
The volunteer team, including Lebanese humanitarian Dea Hage Chahine, has seen their workload increase significantly, noting that their shelter, initially housing 60 women, has since grown to accommodate 175. “We’re working non-stop,” Chahine said, underscoring the urgency of the situation, with many of the women requiring medical or psychological assistance.
In response to this growing crisis, the Sierra Leone Consulate, alongside the Sierra Leone Community Committee and IOM, officially launched their support campaign on Sunday, October 27, 2024. They visited a Beirut shelter housing approximately 150 Sierra Leonean migrants and provided essential supplies like food, cleaning materials and blankets to help residents cope with the cold Lebanese winter. A healthcare drive, featuring volunteer nurses who conducted health assessments and distributed medications, was also organized to address the immediate medical needs of the shelter residents.
This intervention has been a significant relief for displaced Sierra Leoneans, many of whom expressed deep gratitude for the Consulate’s support during such a trying time. The campaign highlights the resilience and unity of the Sierra Leonean community in Lebanon, as they work tirelessly to provide relief, advocacy and hope for their compatriots.
As regional tensions continue, the Sierra Leone Consulate and Community Committee have pledged ongoing support and will regularly assess the needs of Sierra Leoneans affected by the crisis, reaffirming the community’s solidarity and commitment to supporting its people, even across borders.
