United Nations Sierra Leone Newsletter Issue3

Like the previous two years, colleagues, we started this year with fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to shape how we do things. We were still worried about the science of the pandemic and how we interact going forward. However, I am happy to note that our in-person UN Townhall for all staff which took place earlier in the month, and for the first time in a very long time, indicates that we long time,  we have learnt how to live with the disease.

Whilst the pandemic is still with us, thanks to the extremely high vaccination rate amongst all staff, we are now able to meet with friends and colleagues from our UN agencies, funds and programmes in Sierra Leone. If you have not been fully vaccinated, I encourage you to do so, including taking your booster shots. Let me also congratulate and commend you for the work that you continue to do, as international civil servants, in the pursuit of global peace and stability, and in Sierra Leone, particularly as we all work toward supporting the development aspirations of the country and the 2030 Agenda.

As the Resident Coordinator, I am fully aware of the effects of the global crunch and the Ukraine-Russia crisis on your financial emoluments, especially the national staff. We face difficult economic conditions, with rampaging inflation and drastic currency depreciation. The UNCT is actively following the matter, and together with the OMT, we are making all the necessary efforts to raise the issue at the highest level. However, we all know the UN has policies and bureaucratic processes. I cannot make promises, but we are exploring all options.

We all know we are in the election season, and colleagues have political viewpoints. I must remind you, however, that we are all international civil servants with responsibilities and codes of conduct regarding elections, including our personal use of social media. To support this country effectively, we, UN personnel have to respect diverse opinions, protect our integrity, and remain professional at all times to retain our credibility as the neutral, objective and impartial global body. As UN personnel, we carry these core values wherever we go, whatever we do, 24/7.

We have also listened to your feedback on the UN Clinic, and a comprehensive review was undertaken. I thank everyone who completed the survey in support of this. On security, we know colleagues were worried during the unrest on 10 August and felt that security-related communication could have been better. I want staff to remember that not everything on social media is always 100% accurate and credible. So, the RC and UNDSS have a responsibility to investigate, triangulate and verify all information before making recommendations and taking action. Our duty of care is to you, our colleagues, the most prized asset of our organization.

Thank you