Los Angeles — Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), top Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Africa, and 11 of her colleagues sent a letter urging the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support increased funding to provide relief for Sierra Leone and other countries devastated by recent mudslides. Presently, the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance has released $100,000 in aid. The letter sent calls for an additional $20 million for immediate assistance, which would have a widespread impact across the regio
“With hundreds dead, more missing, and the threat of a cholera outbreak looming, we must do our part in providing lifesaving assistance to Sierra Leone,” said Rep. Bass. “The situation there remains dire as rainfall continues, slowing recovery efforts and bringing the threat of further mudslides. In addition to immediate live preserving support, this proactive approach combats the real possibility of another severe disease outbreak. We must ramp up relief efforts and join the international community and the region to provide increased aid to assist Sierra Leone during this extraordinary time of need. My thoughts are with the thousands affected during this difficult time."
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