CHRISTIN ROBY

ABIDJAN — Within just two days of requesting help to respond to devastating mudslides in Sierra Leone last month, relief organizations secured 355,262 pounds ($472,685) in funding from a unique pooled fund, the Start Fund.

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ActionAid, Oxfam, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee, and Plan International alerted the fund of the dire need for rapid financial assistance after Aug. 14 mudslides flattened the homes of thousands and left hundreds missing. The Start Fund allocation became active Aug. 18, making it among the first financial mechanisms to support victims.

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