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19/12/2025

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EU Invests €500,000 to Deepen Local Development and Governance in Kenema

19/12/2025

Morocco launches Nationwide Emergency relief after floods kill dozens

By: News Agencies

Authorities distribute aid to tens of thousands of families hit by deadly winter storms Morocco has launched a nationwide emergency relief operation to support families affected by severe winter weather as communities across the country grapple with deadly floods and plunging temperatures. The aid program was announced on Tuesday and will reach approximately 73,000 households across 28 provinces hit by freezing conditions, torrential rains and snowstorms, authorities said. Authorities are distributing food supplies and blankets to families in affected areas, as weather officials warn that dangerous conditions will persist in the coming days.

The relief effort follows a catastrophic flash flood in the coastal city of Safi on Sunday that killed 37 people when a sudden deluge overwhelmed the city. About 70 homes and shops were damaged after just one hour of intense rainfall, with muddy torrents sweeping vehicles through the streets and trapping residents inside buildings. Fourteen people required hospital treatment, with two remaining in intensive care, officials said. Schools across Safi have closed for at least three days as debris and mud continue to block roads.

The disaster unfolded in the Bab Chabaa district, where water levels surged to about four metres (13ft) in some areas. One resident, a 67-year-old rights activist, described how shopkeepers became trapped after locking themselves inside their stores as floodwaters rose rapidly, with some merchants and workers unable to escape. A mother of six told reporters her family had “lost everything”, while another resident said she fled her home with only the clothes she was wearing. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into whether infrastructure failures contributed to the scale of the tragedy. While a government meteorologist noted that rainfall levels were typical for the region, officials are examining whether inadequate drainage systems may have worsened the flooding.

Weather authorities issued a red alert on Tuesday for snowfall reaching 80cm (31in) in the High Atlas Mountains, with an orange alert for heavy rain across central and northern regions. In mountain areas southeast of the capital Rabat, snow depths have reached 50cm (20in) with overnight temperatures dropping below freezing. The extreme weather comes after seven consecutive years of drought that left many of the country’s main reservoirs depleted.

Last year was Morocco’s hottest on record, and climate scientists say warming temperatures are making storms more intense and unpredictable across North Africa. The Safi disaster occurred just days after 22 people died when two buildings collapsed in the historic city of Fes, raising new questions about building standards and urban infrastructure in Morocco’s older districts.

19/12/2025

Natural disasters hit global economy for $220bn in 2025: Swiss Re

By: Al Jazeera Staff

LA wildfires caused $40bn in insured losses, making it the costliest ever disaster of its kind. Natural disasters caused $220bn in global economic losses in 2025, according to projections by reinsurer Swiss Re. The company, which ensures insurance companies, issued its preliminary estimate for 2025 on Tuesday. Despite the staggering cost of natural catastrophes, ranging from hurricanes to wildfires, the level of the losses was actually an improvement on the previous year, when the world was hit for $327bn.

The 33 percent drop was recorded despite the wildfires that ravaged wealthy neighborhoods in Los Angeles in January, burning more than 9,308 hectares (23,000 acres), destroying homes and businesses and forcing thousands to flee. Swiss Re put the insured losses from the inferno at $40bn, labelling it the globe’s costliest wildfire to date. That single event was a major contributor to the $107bn in insured losses from natural catastrophes in 2025.

The Zurich-based reinsurer pointed out that total insured losses were down 24 percent on the previous year’s total of $141bn, largely thanks to a less severe hurricane season in the North Atlantic. “For the first time in 10 years, none of these hurricanes made landfall on the US coast,” said Swiss Re in a statement. Still, insured losses from storms reached $50bn in 2025, with 13 named tropical storms registered during the North Atlantic tropical cyclone season, including three Category 5 hurricanes: Erin, Humberto and Melissa.

Hurricane Melissa, which left a trail of destruction across Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, was the costliest storm of the year, with insured losses estimated at $2.5bn. With wind gusts reaching 298km (185 miles) per hour, the hurricane was one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, causing significant flooding and landslides, and leaving dozens of people dead. Severe storms “remain a major and persistent global loss driver”, Swiss Re noted, pointing out that 2025 was the third costliest year for extreme weather events.

That completed a recent hat-trick, with 2023 and 2024 provoking the biggest losses. Overall, US events account for 83 percent of global insured natural catastrophe losses. Southeast Asia experienced severe river and flash-flooding events in November, specifically in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, although Swiss Re has not yet provided a loss estimate for those disasters.

19/12/2025

Heavy rains worsen conditions for displaced Gazans, UN warns

By: David Gritten

Heavy rains over the past week have compounded the already dire living conditions of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies say. Unicef spokesman Jonathan Crickx told the BBC that the weather overnight had been "horrendous", with the rain so intense that he had seen up to 15cm (6in) of water on the ground near his office. He said he was extremely concerned that children living in tents and makeshift shelters in wet clothing would succumb to hypothermia and other illnesses.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has said one baby has died from hypothermia and at least 11 other people have died in building collapses caused by the severe weather. UN agencies have stepped up deliveries of tents, blankets and clothes since the Gaza ceasefire began nine weeks ago, but they have said there is still not enough aid getting in. The UN and its partners estimate that almost 55,000 families have so far been affected by the rains, with their belongings and shelters damaged or destroyed. More than 40 designated emergency shelters were severely flooded following downpours on Monday and Tuesday, forcing many people to relocate again.

"Last night was really horrendous for the families. The heavy rains were so intense that we could see from our office and guest house 10cm, 15cm (4-6in) of water at some point. And the winds were so strong," Jonathan Crickx, chief of communications for Unicef State of Palestine, told the BBC's Today programme on Wednesday. "When I drove this morning, I could see that many, many people were trying with buckets to remove some of the water." He noted that most of the estimated one million people living in tents and makeshift shelters had been displaced many times during the two years of war between Israel and Hamas, and that they had no or very few changes of clothes. "When I was seeing [children] this morning, their clothes were damp.

I could see parents trying to dry some of the blankets they had. But it has been raining almost all of the time in the past four or five days, so it is extremely difficult to keep the children dry," he said. "With temperatures about 7C, 8C (45-46F) at night, we are extremely concerned about children getting sick or even worse, dying from hypothermia." Many tents were also at risk of being blown away or destroyed by the strong winds accompanying the rain because they were only made from a piece of tarpaulin or plastic sheeting nailed to a fragile wooden structure, he added. Mr Crickx said Unicef had been able to bring in more aid during the ceasefire to help children cope with the harsh winter conditions, including 250,000 winter clothing kits, 600,000 blankets and 7,000 tents, but that it was not enough.

"We are working relentlessly to bring in that aid and to distribute it, but the scale of the needs is so immense that we still have thousands of people and children who are really suffering every night," he warned. Gaza's health ministry said a two-week old boy named Mohammed Abu al-Khair had died of hypothermia on Monday, two days after he had been admitted to hospital and placed in intensive care. Another 11 people had so far died after the war-damaged buildings where they were sheltering collapsed, it added. A spokesman for the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, Mahmoud Bassal, put the death toll higher. He said in a video that a total of 17 people, including four children, had died because of building collapses and the cold.

He added that 17 residential buildings had collapsed completely because of the wind and rain and that another 90 buildings had collapsed partially. On Tuesday, video footage showed first responders from the Civil Defence recovering the body of a man from the rubble of a building in Shati refugee camp, north-west of Gaza City. Its roof had collapsed suddenly, according to eyewitnesses. "We call on the world to solve our problems and rebuild the territory so that people can have homes instead of being displaced and living in the streets," said Ahmed al-Hosari, a relative of the man, told AFP news agency. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the collapse of damaged buildings due to the severe weather conditions was "deeply concerning".

It stressed the need for "increased and sustained humanitarian assistance to respond to urgent and long-term needs, including food, shelter and equipment for the repair of critical infrastructure". Cogat, the Israeli military body which controls Gaza's border crossings, has dismissed claims of deliberate aid restrictions as "inconsistent with facts on the ground, and the ongoing co-ordination taking place daily". It says that between 600 and 800 lorries carrying humanitarian supplies enter Gaza daily, and that almost 310,000 tents and tarpaulins have been delivered since the start of the ceasefire, along with more than 1,800 lorry loads of warm blankets and clothing. The UN says a total of 67,800 tents; 372,500 tarpaulins and 318,100 bedding items have been collected from crossings over the same period.

The second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas includes plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, along with post-war governance, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the disarmament of Hamas. Last week, Israel's prime minister said the second phase was close, with only the body of one dead Israeli hostage in Gaza still to be returned by Hamas as part of the first phase. The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. More than 70,600 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry.

19/12/2025

2025 EU–Sierra Leone Political Partnership Dialogue

Freetown, 16 December 2025: The annual Political Partnership Dialogue between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the European Union (EU) was held today at State House in Freetown. The dialogue was chaired by H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and brought together Ministers and senior Government officials. The European Union delegation was led by Mr. Olof Skoog, Deputy Secretary-General for External Action, and included six EU Ambassadors accredited to Sierra Leone, alongside senior officials and diplomats.

Both parties welcomed the continued convening of the Political Partnership Dialogue, underscoring its value as a cornerstone of the longstanding and mutually beneficial partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union. Key Areas of Engagement Discussions were constructive and forward-looking, structured around three interrelated priority areas: 1. 2. 3. Democracy and the Rule of Law Regional and Multilateral Affairs Socio-Economic Partnership Democracy, Governance, and the Rule of Law Both parties reaffirmed their shared conviction that democracy remains the most sustainable foundation for peace, stability, and inclusive development—in Sierra Leone, Europe, and beyond.

This commitment continues to guide ongoing political and governance reforms in Sierra Leone, particularly those aimed at strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions and electoral processes. In this context, the Government of Sierra Leone welcomed continued EU support, including through EU Electoral Observation Missions. Building on this shared commitment to the rule of law, both parties agreed to intensify collaboration in a reinvigorated fight against organised crime, illicit drug trafficking, and transnational criminal networks. They underscored the importance of coordinated action, institutional strengthening, and information-sharing to address the growing threats these crimes pose to security, public health, governance, and regional stability.

Sierra Leone’s Global and Multilateral Engagement The dialogue acknowledged Sierra Leone’s strengthened international profile in 2025, marked by its second year as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and its Presidency of the Council in November. The European Union expressed appreciation for Sierra 1 Leone’s constructive engagement in addressing regional and global crises, as well as its consistent efforts to elevate African perspectives within multilateral fora. At a time when multilateralism faces significant global pressures, both parties reaffirmed their firm commitment to a rules-based international order anchored in the United Nations system.

They underscored their shared dedication to the principles of international law, the UN Charter, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, with particular emphasis on gender equality. Regional Peace and Security Recognising the growing security challenges facing the region, the dialogue highlighted Sierra Leone’s leadership role as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority in 2025. In line with the outcomes of the African Union–European Union Summit held in Luanda on 24–25 November 2025— attended by H.E. President Julius Maada Bio and EU leaders—the European Union reaffirmed its support for ECOWAS efforts to preserve peace and stability through the promotion of democratic governance and constitutional order across the region.

Both parties also emphasized the strategic importance of maritime security as a critical component of regional stability and economic resilience. Socio-Economic Partnership and Development Cooperation The dialogue reviewed progress on Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030 and the implementation of the Government’s Big Five Game Changers. Discussions highlighted the importance of fiscal discipline, strengthened public financial management, and continued reforms to foster a conducive environment for private sector investment. Both parties agreed that sustained commitment to good governance, the rule of law, and the fight against organised crime and trafficking is essential—not only for social stability and citizen trust, but also as a key driver for attracting responsible investment and long-term economic growth.

Way Forward At the conclusion of the dialogue, the Government of Sierra Leone and the European Union reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining these regular high-level consultations on issues of mutual interest. The Political Partnership Dialogue will continue to complement ongoing bilateral engagement and coordination within the Development Partners Coordination Group (DEPAC).

19/12/2025

EPA-SL Validates Early Action Reports as Director Highlights Biodiversity as Foundation of Sustainable Development

By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr

Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Environmental Protection Agency–Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development and biodiversity conservation as it convened stakeholders to validate the country’s Early Action Reports, national biodiversity targets, policy coherence frameworks, monitoring systems, and the Biodiversity Finance (BioFin) framework. Delivering a keynote statement at the national validation workshop, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety at EPA-SL, Mr Joseph Turay, emphasized that biodiversity forms the bedrock of sustainable development and must be treated as a national priority. “Biodiversity is the base of sustainable development,” Mr Turay stated.

“On behalf of the agency, I warmly welcome you all, especially at this time of the year when our collective commitment is being demonstrated through action. The Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) has shown that EPA-SL remains committed to delivering on its mandate.” He noted that the validation exercise is part of a long journey that began several years ago, stressing that the current engagement builds on previous national and global processes aimed at strengthening biodiversity governance in Sierra Leone.

Mr Turay recalled that in November 2022, the global community, under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) a landmark document that sets the pace for biodiversity conservation efforts at national and global levels. “The Global Biodiversity Framework contains 23 global targets, and each country is required to domesticate these targets in line with its national circumstances,” he explained. Before the adoption of the new framework, Sierra Leone operated under an earlier biodiversity framework covering the period 2013 to 2020, which had fewer targets.

However, the new framework introduces additional global priorities, including gender inclusion, enabling environments, and sustainable financing. According to Mr Turay, Sierra Leone currently has a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) covering 2017 to 2026, but the emergence of new global targets has necessitated a rapid review to ensure full alignment with international commitments. “To respond to these global developments, Sierra Leone is required to urgently review its national frameworks so that the additional targets are fully captured,” he said.

He disclosed that the alignment process is being supported through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented with technical assistance from UNEP, enabling the country to update its national biodiversity targets and policies in line with global aspirations. A major focus of the validation process, Mr Turay explained, is policy coherence. This involves reviewing existing legislative and policy frameworks to assess their consistency with the Global Biodiversity Framework and identifying gaps that require reform. “We are looking at how our laws, policies, and strategies speak to one another.

Biodiversity conservation cannot succeed in silos—it requires coordinated policy alignment across sectors,” he noted. Another critical pillar of the validation exercise is the monitoring system, which Mr Turay described as essential for measuring progress, identifying gaps, and strengthening accountability. “We must ask ourselves whether we have the right systems in place to monitor implementation. Do we have the data? Do we have the capacity? Do we have the right communication and civic education structures to support this framework?” he queried.

He added that gaps in technical expertise, information management, and public awareness must be addressed to ensure effective implementation of biodiversity commitments. “Biodiversity is business. It is sustainable business,” Mr Turay stressed. “Yet if you ask how much we currently spend on biodiversity conservation, even at the Ministry of Finance, the answer is often unclear. This is why financing is central to this discussion.” The BioFin framework, he said, is designed to address this challenge by identifying financing gaps and exploring innovative mechanisms to sustainably fund biodiversity conservation efforts.

In a detailed presentation, consultant Dr Koni Williams provided an overview of the national targets and indicators developed in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework. Dr Williams explained that the targets were developed following expert consultations held in April 2025, where national and international experts reviewed global best practices and adapted them to Sierra Leone’s ecological and socio-economic context. “Each of the 23 global targets has been aligned with a corresponding national target,” she noted, adding that the targets reflect Sierra Leone’s diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, savannah woodlands, coastal and marine areas, mountain environments, rivers, and streams.

She emphasized that national indicators have been developed to measure progress against each target, providing clear signals on whether the country is on track. For example, Global Target One, which focuses on inclusive spatial planning and addressing land and sea-use change, has been domesticated through national indicators that track the expansion and effective management of protected areas, ecosystem restoration, and the protection of community and indigenous rights. “These indicators allow us to move from commitments on paper to measurable action on the ground,” Dr Williams explained.

Participants at the validation workshop welcomed the process and underscored the importance of strong institutional coordination, sustained financing, and political commitment to implement the validated frameworks. The outcomes of the engagement are expected to guide national biodiversity policy, inform investment decisions, strengthen monitoring and reporting systems, and position Sierra Leone to meet its international environmental obligations. EPA-SL reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure that biodiversity conservation becomes a central pillar of national development planning, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth.

19/12/2025

Stakeholders Validate Socio-Economic Study to Advance Livelihood Options in Yawri Bay MPA

By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr

Stakeholders working in the Yawri Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) landscape have validated a socio-economic study designed to guide sustainable livelihood options and strengthen coordination among institutions operating in the area. Speaking at the validation workshop, Alhaji Malikie Siaka, Project Manager of Wetlands International Africa – Sierra Leone Country Office, outlined the global origins of Wetlands International and its long-standing commitment to wetland conservation.

He explained that international concern for migratory waterbirds dates back to 1937 in Europe, when scientists recognized that habitat destruction—through pollution, land reclamation and unregulated development posed serious threats to wildlife. These early conservation efforts culminated in the signing of the International Waterfowl Convention in 1954, followed by the establishment of regional bodies in Asia and the Americas.

“In 1991, these independent initiatives came together under one global vision—to protect wetlands and biodiversity worldwide,” Siaka said, noting that Wetlands International now operates across Africa, including along the West African coast from Senegal to Angola and across Eastern and Southern Africa. He highlighted the organization’s consistent engagement in Sierra Leone, particularly through the International Waterbird Census—formerly known as the Waterfowl Census implemented over the years in partnership with the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL).

According to Siaka, the validated study is not a legal instrument but a practical reference document to be used by institutions and development partners to guide future interventions. “This study provides baseline information for coordinated action, youth support initiatives, and sustainable livelihood development in the Yawri Bay landscape,” he said. Siaka thanked partners and facilitators for their support, emphasizing the importance of collective ownership and sustained collaboration beyond the workshop.

Representing the Paramount Chief, Zainab Mahoi commended Wetlands International and its partners for supporting community-led mangrove protection initiatives. She disclosed that local authorities have taken decisive action to curb illegal mangrove cutting along riverbanks following reports of encroachment. “The mangroves are our protection against flooding and a source of life for our communities,” she said. “We have barricaded vulnerable areas and made it clear that no one should cut mangroves along the riverside.”

She thanked the organizers for the opportunity to participate in the validation process and pledged continued traditional leadership support for conservation efforts. Moses Haward, Environmental and Social Officer at the Bonthe District Council, described the workshop as timely, noting that similar engagements in the past have helped communities address mangrove degradation. He said the validated study will provide critical information to NGOs, women’s groups and local authorities to design and implement restoration and conservation projects that also address livelihood needs.

“We are not here to criminalize communities,” Haward stressed. “We are here to identify practical livelihood options that reduce pressure on mangroves and wetlands while improving household incomes.” Delivering remarks on behalf of the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, Meina Edo Tse, Head of Programs, underscored the ecological and economic importance of mangroves to the country. “Mangroves are not just trees; they are fish nurseries,” she said. “When mangroves are destroyed, fish lose their breeding grounds, and national fish stocks decline.”

She assured participants that CSSL will continue monitoring wetland activities, documenting interventions, and providing reliable data to inform policy and community action. The validation workshop concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to use the study as a guiding tool for sustainable livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and improved coordination within the Yawri Bay Marine Protected Area landscape.

19/12/2025

EPA Unveils National Strategy to Bridge Environmental and Health Data Gaps

By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr

Sierra Leone continues to face a major national challenge in the availability, quality, and reliability of data particularly environmental and health data an issue that significantly undermines effective policymaking and governance. Speaking on the matter, Mohamed Abdullahi Kamara, Manager of Chemicals Control at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), described data gaps as “timely, essential, and critical” challenges confronting the country. “Data remains one of the biggest constraints we face as a nation not only environmental data, but also health data,” Kamara said.

“The environment is the reservoir of many health and animal-related issues, and without credible data, policy interventions become ineffective.” To address these challenges, Kamara disclosed that the EPA in 2024 developed a Transformation Strategy anchored on a 3×6 framework, comprising three thematic areas supported by six strategic enablers. The selected thematic areas are climate change, environmental health and safety, and natural resource governance. According to Kamara, the selection of these themes was deliberate and aligned with the three global planetary crises: climate change, chemical pollution, and biodiversity loss.

“At the center of all three crises is chemical pollution,” he explained. “Chemical pollution fuels climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and contributes significantly to biodiversity loss. Mining activities especially artisanal and small-scale gold mining often involve hazardous chemicals that contaminate soil and ecosystems, leading to long-term environmental degradation.” Under the Environmental Health and Safety pillar of the strategy, the EPA established a major institutional driver the Center for Environmental Data and Statistics.

The center operates through three key interfaces, one of which is the National Pollution Inventory (NPI), launched last year with the participation of institutions including the National Public Health Agency (NPHA). The National Pollution Inventory captures data on all sources of pollution across Sierra Leone and feeds into a publicly accessible online platform. Its primary output will be the development of a National Pollution Prevention Plan (NPPP), which will guide government institutions in formulating evidence-based environmental and health policies. “A policy without credible data cannot speak and cannot be implemented effectively,” Kamara emphasized. He cited the successful regulation of lead content in paints as a practical example of data-driven policymaking.

“We first conducted a national assessment, gathered credible data, and then developed the regulation. That is how effective policy should work,” he said. Kamara noted that the initiative is designed to benefit multiple institutions, including the EPA, NPHA, National Minerals Agency (NMA), and other relevant stakeholders. “At the EPA, collaboration is not optional it is a core mandate enshrined in our Act,” he said. “Strong partnerships are essential for success.” He added that the achievements recorded by the NPHA over the past two years demonstrate the value of effective inter-agency collaboration. He concluded by reaffirming the EPA’s commitment to strengthening the link between environmental data and public health outcomes through coordinated national action.

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