UN Sierra Leone Weekly Highlights January 3-7.

FAO 

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security enhances pest surveillance with FAO-donated Tablets.

Through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) under the Africa Phytosanitary Program (APP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) donated 40 tablets to the Phytosanitary Control Unit of the Crops Division within Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) in Sierra Leone. These tablets will help modernize pest surveillance and response systems, allowing for real-time data collection and more effective pest detection and reporting. 

FAO Rep and ECTAD CTL wrap up weeklong working visit to project sites in Koinadugu District.

During his weeklong working visit to Koinadugu district, FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, Saeed Abubakarr Bancie, together with the Country Team Lead, Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) René Besin, carried out a series of important stakeholder engagement and practical visits to project implementation sites in Koinadugu.

The purpose of his visit was to gather first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by farmers in the region and to identify areas in which FAO can provide support. Bancie met with key figures such as Paramount Chief Gbawuru Mansaray II of Wara-Wara Yagalia, chiefdom, and the District Agriculture Team; ISAVET program beneficiaries; and livestock and crop farmers from across the district. His visit also included practical exposure to livestock and vegetable farms, allowing him to better understand the realities on the ground. The visit not only strengthened the existing mutual relationship between FAO and the district but also highlighted the organization's expertise and best practices in areas such as crop and livestock production, post-harvest handling, and market linkages, instilling hope for a brighter future.

WFP 

WFP, Government and other stakeholders meet to discuss the   2010-2025 Country Strategic Plan.

On Wednesday, the World Food Programme (WFP) hosted a strategic workshop to review its 2010 to 2025 Country Strategic Plan (CSP) and shape the next CSP for 2026 to 2030. The event brought together government partners, UN agencies, and development actors to reflect on key lessons and refine future strategies for food security, nutrition, and agricultural resilience in Sierra Leone. 

The workshop's objectives include strengthening collaboration with the National School Feeding Secretariat to enhance local food production and school meals, aligning food security, education, and agriculture with national and global development goals, expanding opportunities for women-led cooperatives and gender-responsive programming, and ensuring CSP adaptability to respond to crises like COVID-19, improve local procurement, and optimise supply chains.

Gender inclusion is a key priority of the review, not just as a principle but as a driver of change. 

Stakeholder engagement remains key to ensuring sustainability, inclusivity, and impact as WFP prepares to present the new CSP to the Executive Board in November. Furthermore, by aligning efforts with national priorities, WFP and its partners continue to drive progress toward food security and resilience in Sierra Leone.

National Public Health Agency receives critical supply for Mpox response from WHO.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered to the National Public Health Agency, Ministry of Health and Sanitation over $38,000 worth of essential laboratory supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support the national response to Mpox. The laboratory supplies included genomics sequencing reagents, PCR kits for 400 tests, Gene Xpert cartridges for 50 tests, Genomic sequencing kits for 45 tests, among others. The PPEs includes gloves, gowns, aprons, face shields, biohazard waste bags, infra-red thermometers, among others. The donation was received by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), with Prof. Foday Sahr, NPHA Executive Director, and key officials from both organizations in attendance.

The event also featured important discussions around the successes and challenges of the ongoing response for surveillance, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and case management, reinforcing the collaborative effort toward improved health outcomes.

PEN-Plus Study tour in Sierra Leone: Strengthening NCD Response in West and Central Africa.

From February 3-7, 2025, Sierra Leone hosted a study tour for representatives from six Francophone countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, DRC, and Niger—to observe the successful implementation of the PEN-Plus program in Kono District. The study tour aimed to provide hands-on experience in PEN-Plus planning and implementation, highlighting Sierra Leone’s progress as a model for noncommunicable disease (NCD) management in the region.

The week-long program included visits to the PEN-Plus clinic in Kono, meetings with local health authorities and the District Health Management Team (DHMT), and high-level discussions with Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health. Participants gained insights into the policy enablers, partnerships, and coordination efforts that have made Sierra Leone’s PEN-Plus program successful. The tour also featured a technical meeting with NCD partners to discuss the development of Sierra Leone’s National Operational Plan.

The study tour is part of WHO’s broader effort to scale up PEN-Plus across West and Central Africa using a primary healthcare approach to tackle NCDs. With support from WHO and partners such as PIH and CUAMM, the PEN-Plus program in Sierra Leone serves as an exemplary model for other countries in the region to replicate.

The event is expected to lead to further collaboration and knowledge sharing, translating lessons from Sierra Leone into actionable strategies for NCD management across the participating countries.

ILO 

ILO concludes monitoring exercise on feeder road maintenance in Bombali District.

During the week in review, ILO concluded a field visit to monitor work done on the EU-funded and ILO Abuja-managed feeder road maintenance in the Bombali District. The initiative to support economic activities and connect people mainly targets women. Its introduction has led these women to acquire new skills through training on basic feeder road maintenance techniques. ILO noted that Hassanatu and her fellow women used to obtain loans from micro-credit facilities, which they had difficulties paying because they experienced post-harvest losses due to poor road networks. Now, they have been able to clear off their loans, contribute to the family, and have started other businesses to have multiple sources of income. This was made possible by the wages they received every week.

ILO visits cassava flour- producing factory for confectionary use in Makeni. 

During the week in review, ILO- Abuja visited a cassava processing centre in Makeni owned by Francis John Sesay and his five colleagues, graduates of the Agricultural Engineering Department at Njala University. They produce high-value cassava flour and other cassava products for domestic use as part of the EU-Funded Opportunity Salone programme, managed by ILO. They produce cassava flour and other cassava products for domestic use. Francis and his team were identified and provided with technical and financial support, aligning with the project's objectives to empower SME businesses, scale production, increase livelihoods, and create decent jobs for Sierra Leoneans. The support has significantly increased production levels. Before the project intervention, they processed five bags of raw cassava tubers weekly. Now, they can process over 50 bags per week, a remarkable increase that has boosted profit margins and expanded the workforce from five to fifteen personnel, paving the way for a promising future for the initiative.

ILO engages stakeholders to implement the Decent Work Country Programme 2023-2027.

ILO has engaged with the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) National Technical Working Group Committee members to build their capacity and take stock on implementing the country’s decent Work Country programme (DWCP II  2023- 2027). This capacity-building process aims to equip the members with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement the DWCP effectively. This process examined how monitoring and evaluation tools can be used to ensure smooth implementation of the DWCP and that the document achieves all it will achieve in the coming years. ILO formulated the DWCP to serve as a strong pillar to creating and promoting decent work for Sierra Leonean people, with a focus on the enduring impact of our collective efforts over the long term.

UNFPA

UNFPA partners with Iceland to combat harmful practices.

This week, UNFPA strengthened its collaboration with the Government of Iceland through the signing of a $3million partnership aimed at addressing harmful practices. This four-year initiative focuses on empowering adolescent girls, supporting community and social movements, and generating evidence to enhance the knowledge base for advocacy, policy, and programming efforts.

ILO

IOM discusses irregular migration with the media. 

On the 4th of February, IOM Sierra Leone's Officer-in-Charge Pauline Macharia joined a local radio talk show Rise Radio to discuss the complex issue of irregular migration. During the discussion, Ms. Macharia highlighted the root causes of irregular migration and emphasized IOM's focus on a comprehensive approach to the issue, including strengthening legal migration pathways, improving border management, and promoting sustainable development in countries of origin. The radio show provided a valuable platform to raise public awareness and foster dialogue on this critical issue, underscoring the importance of collective action to tackle irregular migration effectively.

IOM reunites Sierra Leonean minor from Sierra Leone to Australia.

On the 5th of February, IOM facilitated the family reunification of one Sierra Leonean (a minor) from Sierra Leone to Australia. Additionally, one Sierra Leonan who returned from Ireland was further supported by IOM with economic reintegration this week.