The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Lighting the way for those affected by disaster
With funding from the UK’s Department for International Development, UNOPS distributes 1,000 solar lanterns to Sierra Leone’s Office of National Security
“While the immensity of the disaster is far-reaching, these solar lanterns will help many of the families and communities affected by last week’s floods and landslides, while crucially aiding in the search and rescue efforts,” said Nick Gardner, UNOPS Country Manager.
The solar lanterns provide a reliable source of light for 13 hours after charging and can also charge a mobile phone.
An estimated 3,000 people lost their homes last week, according to the Office of National Security and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Four hundred people have lost their lives and more than 600 are still missing.
UNOPS is working with its partners in Sierra Leone to assess the extent of damage, including through the drone mapping of affected areas, which is helping to provide accurate data for emergency operations and coordination.
