Water supply to Freetown and its environs is by the Guma Valley Water Company, which was established in 1961 to serve the then population of 800,000 people. Due to Urban migration as a consequence of the civil conflict, water demand in the city of Freetown now far exceeds the supply.

Water supply and demand data was also collected to assess the potential impacts of climate change on water resources supply and demand using a water supply scheme that had operated over the past 35 years. Population estimates were also used to assess future changes in supply and demand due to rural-urban migration.

Migration of the rural population to the capital, Freetown, during the civil conflict (1991 – 2001) has put considerable pressure on the water demand.

The most vulnerable coast areas in Sierra Leone fall under the Central Coast comprising about 147km of shorelines that are sandy. This area is expected to be affected by all the various descriptions of impacts of sea-level rise including flooding and inundation, shoreline recession, increasing salinity of estuaries and aquifers and rising water tables and its adverse consequences on earthquake hazards and building foundations. Already, the population living within this segment is being displaced by flooding and shoreline recession. Various attempts are being made to protect these areas.

Any increase in the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events would pose a threat. Heat waves, flooding, storms, and drought can cause deaths and injuries, famine, the displacement of populations, disease outbreak, and psychological disorders.

The social and economic impacts of the 10-year civil conflict (1991-2002) were devastating. The brutal attacks by the Rebels, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that began in March 1991 and backed by cross sections of the national armed forces left a trail of human tragedy. An estimated 20,000 people killed and thousands more injured. Over 2 million people displaced; 500,000 fled to neighbouring countries.

Relocation of populations from areas vulnerable to flooding An increase in river discharge resulting from increases in the intensity of precipitation, in addition to bad land use practices, could cause widespread flooding in low-lying areas. The effects will be more severe in the flood plains where poor water control is already creating salinity and iron toxicity problems. (...) Investment in safe relocation and expansion of these facilities may have substantial current benefit and will be of use in adapting to future conditions.