In the early hours of Saturday, the lives of hundreds of residents on 4th and 5th Streets in Sinkor were upended. Without warning, families watched as their homes were demolished, their possessions scattered on the roadside. Whatever the legal circumstances that led to this moment, the result is a humanitarian crisis that we cannot ignore: people, including elderly citizens and children, are now homeless and in desperate need of assistance.
The complex land dispute that precipitated this event may be a matter for the courts, but the suffering it has created is a matter for our collective conscience. Residents speak of generations of history—of deeds dating back to the 1970s and homes built with a lifetime of labor. Now, they face the stark reality of having nowhere to go. As one affected resident, Jamaima Tweh, recounted, they were given no time to properly gather their belongings. Another elderly man could only hold a frayed property document and ask where his family was to sleep.
In the face of such sudden displacement, the immediate imperative is clear: provide help. We commend Representative Prince Toles for his swift announcement of over LRD 3.5 million in allocated funds for the victims. This is a vital first step. It is crucial that this compensation process be transparent, fair, and expedited. The collaboration with community leaders to verify beneficiaries must be handled with urgency and integrity so that aid reaches the people who need it most without delay.
However, financial compensation alone is not enough. These families need immediate shelter, food, clothing, and support services. The trauma of losing one’s home without warning requires a compassionate response that addresses both material and emotional needs. We call on the district’s leadership, humanitarian organizations, and all people of conscience to mobilize resources to provide temporary housing and essential supplies.
The broader conversation about development, land rights, and urban planning is important and must continue. But today, our focus must be on the human beings left vulnerable in the wake of this demolition. A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable, especially in their hour of greatest need.
Let us set aside debates over legalities and blame. The people of 4th and 5th Streets are not abstractions in a legal dispute. They need help, and they need it now. We urge every capable institution and individual to step forward and offer that help.
