By Amara Thoronka
The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided Sierra Leone with over 6 tones of medical supplies to help in the response to Friday’s fuel tanker explosion in the country’s capital Freetown, leading to the death of over 100 people and maiming of many others.
The first WHO consignment arrived yesterday at the Freetown International Airport onboard an Asky flight.
WHO Country Representative, DR. Steven Shongwe, handed the supplies to the nation’s Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, at a small ceremony at the said airport in Lungi.
It could be recalled that on Friday 5th November a leaking tanker loaded with fuel collided with a truck leading to mass explosion and wild inferno which claimed many lives and properties.
Government so far puts the death toll at 97 with an additional 100 critically hospitalized. Dr. Shongwe also disclosed that WHO would help the country with medical experts who are expected to jet in shortly.
In a televised address, President Julius Maada Bio pledged his government’s commitment to providing the needed medical, psychosocial and economic support needed to handle what he called a “national disaster.”
