China provides aid as Sierra Leone disaster's death toll rises to 499

Bodies recovered from the mudslide and flooding on August 14 in Sierra Leone have totaled at 499, local media reported on Sunday.

More than 600 people remain missing, and over 3,000 people are left homeless.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is seeking a little over 4.6 million Swiss francs (4.77 million US dollars) to help 4,600 people in the disaster's aftermath and to support their long-term recovery needs.

Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma has been calling on assistance from the international community.

The Chinese community living in Sierra Leone collectively responded with a donation of 100,000 US dollars and emergency materials. The Chinese government is also donating one million US dollars to flood victims as an immediate response.

(CGTN)