UN Agencies Weekly Highlights 3-7th November 2025

IOM

IOM Regional Director pays courtesy visit to Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, joins national climate dialogue.

The Regional Director for West and Central Africa of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ms. Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh during her official mission to Sierra Leone. The meeting underscored IOM’s continued commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s development priorities, particularly in the areas of migration governance, climate resilience, and sustainable development. During the visit, Ms. Ekra commended the Government of Sierra Leone for its leadership in launching the country’s first National Implementation Plan for the Global Compact for Migration. She emphasized the importance of intersectoral collaboration and reaffirmed IOM’s readiness to support national efforts in addressing migration challenges linked to climate change and environmental degradation.

The courtesy call was followed by Ms. Ekra’s active participation in the National Climate Dialogue, convened under the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security. The dialogue brought together government officials, development partners, civil society, and technical experts to discuss Sierra Leone’s climate vulnerabilities and explore innovative solutions for building resilience. Speaking at the event, Ms. Ekra highlighted the growing intersection between climate change and migration, noting that environmental stressors are increasingly influencing mobility patterns across West Africa. She called for integrated approaches that link climate adaptation, migration management, and community development. 

"Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it is a human issue. It affects livelihoods, health, and mobility. We must work together to ensure that communities are equipped to adapt and thrive," she said.The Presidential Initiative, launched by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, aims to position Sierra Leone as a regional leader in climate action, renewable energy, and food security. The National Climate Dialogue is part of a broader effort to develop inclusive and evidence-based policies that respond to the country’s unique challenges. Ms. Ekra’s visit and participation in the dialogue reaffirm IOM’s strategic partnership with Sierra Leone and its commitment to supporting the country’s efforts to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

RCO

RCO trains Ministry of Social Welfare staff on M&E and results-based management.

The Resident Coordinator’s Office team under the leadership of Robert Banamwan, Head of RCO and Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist joined forces with the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) for a dynamic, three-day hands-on training on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results-Based Management (RBM). The RCO team worked closely with MoSW participants, including district-level M&E officers, to strengthen skills and accelerate the implementation of the Ministry’s Strategic Plan. This workshop brought together Ministry teams, including district-level M&E officers, to accelerate the implementation of the Ministry’s Strategic Plan. The training was not just about learning tools, it was about shifting mindsets and building a culture of results.

Robert Banamwana emphasised the importance of the RBM framework, noting that:

“RBM is more than a reporting tool, it’s a mindset. It’s about asking the right questions: What change are we driving? How will we know we’ve succeeded? Stronger program design drives measurable, lasting impact.”

Key themes included:

• Design for change, not activity: Programs should aim for real transformation, not just outputs.
• RBM as a mindset: Focus on learning, accountability, and evidence-based decisions.
• Strategic alignment: Reinforcing SDG 17 and supporting the UNSDCF and Sierra Leone’s Mid-Term National Development Plan.

The sessions combined theory with practical exercises, enabling participants to design logical frameworks, set SMART indicators, and develop robust monitoring systems.

At the end of the training, participants received certificates recognizing their commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s social welfare sector. This milestone reflects the spirit of UN 2.0, which champions innovative partnerships and data-driven solutions.

WHO

Sierra Leone strengthens readiness for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

Sierra Leone has enhanced its outbreak preparedness through a two-day tabletop simulation exercise held from 5–6 November 2025 at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Freetown. The activity, led by the Ministry of Health through the National Public Health Agency, with technical support from WHO and in country partners.  

The exercise simulated a “Disease X” outbreak to test national systems in case detection, vaccination logistics, coordination, and communication. Participants were from the National Public Health Agency, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Facilitators and evaluators were drawn from WHO, Africa CDC, HEADA, US CDC and other partners used the exercise to assess real-time decision-making and identify areas for improvement. 

The exercise provided an opportunity to identify strengths and gaps in emergency preparedness, with lessons feeding into updates to Sierra Leone’s National Deployment and Vaccination Plan and PHEOC Standard Operating Procedures. 

WHO and partners continue to support the country in building a resilient and agile health system capable of responding swiftly to emerging public health threats. 

Thanks to the FCDO and GAVI for their continued support through WHO AFRO in strengthening member states capacities for improved health security. 

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