UN Agencies Weekly Highlights- August 4 - 8

WHO 

Sierra Leone Launches WHO-Backed Genomic Surveillance Training 

Sierra Leone has commenced a two-week capacity-building workshop on DNA sequencing and bioinformatics, aimed at strengthening national preparedness for multi-pathogen threats. The training, which began on 4 August and runs through 15 August 2025, is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), and the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL). 

The workshop focuses on building sustainable national capacity in genomic surveillance, with a strong emphasis on mentorship, leadership development, and practical application. While recent efforts have centered around Mpox, the training is designed to equip local scientists and public health experts with the tools needed to detect and monitor a wide range of infectious diseases. 

This initiative forms part of WHO’s ongoing support to enhance Sierra Leone’s health security systems, enabling early detection, rapid response, and informed decision-making in the face of emerging and re-emerging health threats. 

UNICEF

Sierra Leone celebrates World Breastfeeding Week with 54% exclusive rate  

This week, Unicef  joined the global community in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week 2025 under the theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.” The event was a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding as a cornerstone of maternal and child health. Sierra Leone’s progress, having already reached WHO’s 2025 target of 50% exclusive breastfeeding, is proof of the efforts of health workers, the government, communities, and partners. 

As highlighted during the event, achieving the global 2030 target of 75% exclusive breastfeeding will require continued investment in sustainable systems that empower mothers, at home, in health centres, and in workplaces. 

UNDP 

Inter-Religious Council receives UNDP support to expand community outreach 

This week, UNDP, through the Office of the Chief Minister, handed over a vehicle to the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) to strengthen their nationwide peacebuilding, governance, and advocacy work. The handover followed a request for UNDP to provide a vehicle that would help IRCSL reach more communities and carry out their important activities more effectively. 

UNDP Resident Representative Fredrick Ampiah emphasised that this support reflects recognition of IRCSL’s long-standing role in fostering dialogue, promoting unity, and working for the common good across Sierra Leone. He noted that the vehicle will help them expand their reach, strengthen engagement with communities, and continue their service to the nation. 

The IRCSL welcomed the donation, highlighting their active engagement with Government and partners on youth and women’s empowerment, national cohesion, prevention of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, safe motherhood and reproductive health, climate change advocacy, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, electoral process reforms, and the promotion of religious tolerance. 

They added that, given their national reach and the voluntary nature of their members’ contributions, support of this kind offers a significant return on investment. They also expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister’s swift and spontaneous action in responding to their request, describing it as remarkable. 

This support is part of UNDP’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local capacities for peacebuilding and ensuring that no voice is left unheard. 

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