MONROVIA, Montserrado – A youth group has donated funds to assist victims of the recent mudslide in Sierra Leone.

Activista Liberia, a youth platform under the aid group ActionAid International, donated the equivalent of US$421 that was raised through car wash activities held across Sinkor, Vai Town, Clara Town, Waterside, and Duala.

Presenting the funds on Tuesday, the leader of the group, Mark Garginah, said the action was in fulfillment of ‘Operation help Sierra Leone,’” a three-day program in Monrovia to raise funds for the mudslide victims.

“We want to extend our thanks and appreciation to all Liberians and foreigners living here for their humanitarian cause and to reaffirm our commitment to the public that your money is going to reach the people of Sierra Leone for the right purpose,” he said.

He also praised members of Activista Liberia for their commitment and tireless efforts shown during the fundraising and solidarity campaign.

ActionAid Liberia’s country director, Lakshmi Moore, received the amount for onward delivery to ActionAid Sierra Leone on behalf of the mudslide victims.

Moore praised the group for its gesture, especially in giving back to Sierra Leone, which she said gave birth to ActionAid Liberia about 20 years ago.

“Action Aid Liberia was actually founded as a cross-border initiative by Action Aid Sierra Leone to Liberia in response to the internally displaced people caused by the 1996 war in Liberia,” she said.

She said to be able to give back to Sierra Leone after 20 years is an indication of the commitment to continuing the mission across both countries.

“We are very proud and will ensure that ActionAid Sierra Leone remembers that Liberian youth stand in solidarity with them,” she concluded.

The BBC reported last month, that more than 3,000 people lost their homes to a mudslide in Sierra Leone, which killed at least 499 people, with more than 600 still missing.

Featured photo by Gbatemah Senah