Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to support the funding and planning of the infrastructure of Freetown following the flooding in August; and whether they intend to provide support for a programme to train technical experts.

Our deepest sympathies are with the people of Sierra Leone affected by the mudslide and flooding. The UK allocated £5m for emergency power and clean water, and to clear waterways to prevent further flooding.

Since Ebola, DFID has provided clean water and sanitation to over 500,000 people, including through new boreholes across Freetown. We are upgrading power supplies and doubling the number of households with access to solar energy. This support includes technical training for local workers, which will improve their ability to respond in times of crisis. The World Bank and UN are assisting the government to develop a long term strategy for urban planning, and we are working closely with them to assess the city’s longer term housing needs.