CLGF is calling on councils in the UK and elsewhere to show their support for their counterparts in Sierra Leone as the Ebola crisis deepens. The effects of the epidemic are being felt acutely by local governments and have already had a devastating effect on the economy.

UK and other Councils are being asked as to whether they can contribute cash, supplies or anything that can assist via the Local Council Association of Sierra Leone (LoCASL) who will then distribute to their members.

Councils in Sierra Leone, who have responsibility for waste, cemeteries and crematoria and consumer protection, are at the forefront of dealing with the disease and sensitisation campaigns. There have been at least 810 cases of Ebola reported in Sierra Leone, including 348 deaths, according to WHO figures.

“LoCASL is really under pressure by its members to come up and so visibility by robustly looking for help to directly involve the councillors and their ward committees in the sensitisation of their people in their own languages and to places where vehicles and motorbikes cannot access,” said LoCASL Secretary-General Sahr Moigua.

“The National Executive is asking CLGF members to support the organisation through funding, sensitisation and education materials, protective clothing and other things that can be sent directly to local councils to support them and strengthen and sustain their sensitisation campaigns,” he said.

“A number of UK councils have historical links with Sierra Leone and they and community groups are already looking at how they can help. But the situation is so severe that we are urging all councils in the UK and beyond to do what they can to send either cash or supplies to support our members including LoCASL and Freetown City Council,” said CLGF Secretary-General Carl Wright.

CLGF is working with local government in Sierra Leone as part of its programme of work in East Africa. Some councillor training events have been put on hold while travel around and in and out of the country is restricted.

If you would like to help, please contact:
Secretary-General, LoCASL 
Sahr Moigua
C/o Freetown City Council
Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown
Mobile: 23276338870
Email: locaslheadoffice@gmail.com