By Ibrahim S. Bangura
The Portee, Rukupa, and Susan’s Bay wharf communities in Freetown are grappling with a severe lack of toilet facilities, with over 7,000 residents sharing just two hanging toilets. This dire situation has forced widespread open defecation, resulting in frequent outbreaks of diseases like cholera and dysentery.
Mohamed Kamara, a community elder, lamented that this crisis has plagued the area since 1999, leaving residents exposed to severe health risks and forcing them to spend heavily on healthcare. Women and children are particularly affected, with poor sanitation linked to high child mortality, malnutrition, and even violence.
Community members have urged the government and stakeholders to take immediate action. The Freetown City Council (FCC) has acknowledged the gravity of the situation and promised to provide toilet facilities soon, as residents remain hopeful for a solution to their long-standing struggle.