On October 8, 2024, the charity association Help For The Helpless extended a heartwarming gesture of philanthropy to victims at Rock City community, located behind the Big Mankon Catholic mission premises in Bamenda. This initiative comes in response to the looming threat of a landslide that has already begun to affect the homes in this vulnerable area, which is situated at the slumps of Ntaghang
Some victims of the Landslide
Stranded victims
Upon arrival, the charity established a temporary camp to shelter the remaining residents. This provisional solution aimed to offer some relief while the association searched for more comfortable accommodations for the affected families. Among those benefiting from the assistance were several families, each facing their own challenges.
Temporal camp for the Landslide victims
The residents of this danger zone had been alerted to a significant crack in the ground, prompting some of them to seek refuge elsewhere. Those with relatives in secured areas or alternative accommodations fled for safety, leaving behind individuals who had nowhere else to go. As news of the situation reached Help For The Helpless Charity Association, a team was dispatched to the site to provide immediate support.
Landslide area showing sunk houses
Ningdem Therese, a mother of ten, found refuge alongside her children, while Helen Manka, a grandmother with a fractured limb, also received support. Mbah Melanie, a young woman caring for five children, and Dauda Fadimatou, who lives with eight individuals, were among those giving given shelter. Additionally, Halimatou Sayaho, a widow with three children, and Yusufu Abdulai, a commercial bike rider with a wife and five children, were supported with food items since they could find shelter but had no food to eat .
Tragically, the very next day, October 9, the deserted area experienced the anticipated landslide, leaving many to wonder what would have become of those who had stayed behind. Fortunately, Help For The Helpless was able to secure more comfortable housing for the rescued families just three days later, alleviating their immediate housing crisis.
Kouh Juliette CEO Help For The Helpless Charity Foundation
Kouh Juliette, the CEO of Help For The Helpless, expressed satisfaction with her efforts to address the urgent accommodation needs of the victims. “The new houses rented by the association are meant to assist them, allowing them to start anew. Hopefully, by the time the lease expires, they will be able to sustain themselves,” she explained.
On October 15, the CEO officially handed over the keys to the new homes to the victims. A dedicated team was deployed to escort them to their new residences, where they joyfully entered with their families. In a heartfelt moment, Helen Manka, despite her broken limb, expressed gratitude and joy for the support they received, wishing for the association’s continued growth and success.
The association remains hopeful that the victims will find more sustainable means to rebuild their lives and recover from this devastating experience.