Fashion companies and advocacy groups are calling for financial support to rebuild the Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, following a fire earlier this year.
The fire began on New Year’s Day and destroyed more than 60% of the market, which is one of the world’s largest secondhand clothing markets. The damage impacted the stalls, tools and merchandise of more than 10,000 people, according to a press release from the Or Foundation, an environmental justice nonprofit that focuses on the fashion industry. Two people died as a direct result of the fire, and three others died over the last two weeks, per the foundation.
The nonprofit, which operates in both the U.S. and Ghana, is partnering with resale platform Vestiaire Collective to ask other fashion industry members and resale companies to contribute funds to rebuilding efforts. Recycling tech company Debrand, Puma, eBay and a group of Belgian brands already have contributed to relief efforts, per the release.
The Or Foundation estimated that at least $5 million is needed to rebuild and cover the cost of lost wages and materials.
Kantamanto Market receives 15 million secondhand garments from the Global North every week, per the Or Foundation. Its community of workers includes more than 30,000 retailers, tailors and upcyclers recirculate 25 million pieces of clothing every month through resale, reuse, repair and remanufacturing.
The Or Foundation said it has distributed $1.5 million to more than 9,200 people impacted by the fire. The nonprofit said this initial phase of funding provided direct relief. Additional money will be used for medical expenses and machine purchases.
Following the fire, the market and the nonprofit reached an agreement to install fire lanes and about 1,000 fire extinguishers. The two groups also are working to create a plan to re-electrify the market.
The Or Foundation focuses its work on creating solutions to fashion waste. The nonprofit also provides business development and resources to upcyclers and tailors at Kantamanto Market, and it partnered with Vestiaire last year on a collection of upcycled clothing made from materials sourced from the market.
