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The Latest: Britain donates millions to aid Sierra Leone
Published September 25, 2017
The Latest on deadly mudslides in Sierra Leone (all times local):
9 a.m.
Britain says it is providing 5 million pounds ($6.4 million) in emergency aid to victims of flooding and mudslides in Sierra Leone.
International Development Secretary Priti Patel says "the international community must follow our lead" to save lives in the impoverished West African nation. The country is a former British colony.
More than 400 people have died and an estimated 600 are missing.
An estimated 3,000 people are now homeless in the capital, Freetown, and surrounding communities. The devastation comes as Sierra Leone recovers from the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak that killed thousands.
More rain forecast is for the coming week and further mudslides are a threat.
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8:30 a.m.
The United Nations says the death toll from Sierra Leone's mudslides is now above 400.
The U.N. humanitarian agency says 409 bodies have been found after flooding and mudslides in the West African nation's capital of Freetown on Monday morning.
Burials have begun as an estimated 600 people remain missing.
People continue to search through tons of mud and debris amid the threat of further mudslides.
The government has warned residents to evacuate a mountainside where a large crack has opened.
Rainfall remains in the forecast for the coming days, slowing recovery efforts.
Thousands of people have lost their homes. Some critics accuse the government of not learning from past disasters.
Many poor areas are near sea level and lack good drainage. The capital also is plagued by unregulated construction.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/the-latest-britain-donates-millions-to-aid-sierra-leone