By Momodou Gagigo
A powerful storm has severely damaged more than 15 homes in Amdalai village, Niamina East District of the Central River Region, forcing residents to seek temporary shelter with relatives and neighbors as they confront the ongoing rainy season without adequate protection.
The storm tore roofs from houses, uprooted trees, and destroyed household belongings along with critical food stocks. Residents said the community’s lack of tree cover left homes particularly exposed to the strong winds.
Baboucarr Bah is among those affected. He has taken in displaced family members despite limited space in his own home. “As of now, the only thing I have done is take them within the family during the night to sleep. I used the kitchen to accommodate my brother and my mother at my house, while my wife, the young kids, and I share a 3.5-square-meter single room,” Bah said.
He described the situation as extremely difficult, especially during the farming season when resources are already stretched. “It will be difficult as of now, but at the end of the season, I will try to build mould blocks if possible,” he added. His experience highlights the tough choices families face as they prioritize safety while lacking the means to rebuild quickly.
Saidou Faye recounted a night of fear when the storm struck. “I was here with my family when the storm tore away our roof. We ran away to seek shelter in the village’s community store, but unfortunately, the store roof was also thrown off, leaving us homeless and confused about where else to seek shelter,” Faye said.
He noted that the timing could not have been worse. Families had already invested heavily in their farms. “We are left with no other hope now as we are in the rainy season. We have spent all our resources on the soil, hoping to feed our families at the end of the season,” he said. Faye appealed for support from the government, humanitarian organizations, philanthropists and the public. “I seek help from everyone. This is our only home. When we come back from the farm, this is usually where we rest, but now that’s no more.”
Awa Sallah said her family was forced to squeeze into a single room belonging to another household after their home was destroyed. “When the storm destroyed our home, we sought shelter from one of the boys’ houses. Imagine the whole of my family in a single room,” she said. The family felt terrified and uncertain during the storm. “We were scared and didn’t know what to do or where to run to.”
Village head Ahmed Jallow described the event as one of the most serious disasters the community has faced. “This disaster was very serious, and it is the first of its kind in this community. It has left my people vulnerable,” he said. Many affected families now rely on neighbors for shelter whenever it rains. “As it stands, many families seek shelter from unaffected neighbors at night or whenever it rains.”
Jallow added that the storm destroyed not only homes but also valuable possessions and food reserves stored for the difficult months ahead. “Many families lost a lot of their valuable properties and foodstuff they kept for survival during these difficult times.”
Residents of Amdalai now face an uncertain rainy season with damaged roofs, lost belongings, and families dispersed among relatives. Affected households say they urgently need roofing materials, food, household items, and other emergency aid before further rainfall worsens their hardship, especially for those who have already committed scarce resources to farming; rebuilding remains beyond their immediate means.
As the rains continue, the people of Amdalai confront a stark reality: the homes they once returned to after long days on their farms can no longer provide reliable shelter.
