WFP Warns of Looming Food Emergency, One in Four Children Stunted

 By Sallieu S. Kanu

Freetown, May 24, 2026 — The World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm over Sierra Leone’s worsening food insecurity, reporting that 78 percent of the population is food insecure, with 13 percent severely affected and 26 percent of children under five stunted.

The Country Brief for May 2026, shows that despite modest improvements since 2023, the agency says rising commodity prices, climate shocks, and limited fiscal space continue to deepen vulnerability.

WFP said Sierra Leone’s humanitarian needs are driven by chronic poverty affecting 54–56 percent of the population, economic fragility, and high food prices amid persistent inflation.

Severe food insecurity has declined from 28 percent in 2023 to 13 percent in July 2025, according to the Food Security Monitoring System survey, according to the report.

Rice prices showed mixed trends in early 2026: local rice rose in districts such as Kailahun due to seasonal supply constraints and fuel costs, while imported rice increased by 5 percent in March compared to February, reflecting external market pressures, according to the report.

Operational Updates

• Nutrition: The inception meeting mapped technical approaches and monitoring mechanisms to strengthen infant nutrition and food security.
• School Meals: WFP delivered over 1,800 mt of rice and vegetable oil to schools, reaching 257,000 children. The OPEC‑funded Reenergizing School Meals Programme completed kitchen construction in 264 schools, benefiting 80,000 children.
• Cash Transfers: USD 80,823 was disbursed via mobile money to purchase fresh vegetables, improving diet diversity for 87,514 children in 384 schools.
• Resilience: Rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war have increased logistics costs. WFP is mitigating risks through smart contracting, expanded in‑house fleet use, and optimized transport networks.
• Community Governance: Three FEDOs were established under the EU Nature Nourishes project, with more planned in May. Each organization will be equipped with solar power, internet, laptops, motorbikes, and training to strengthen conservation and livelihoods.

Key Highlights

• A technical inception meeting was held for the EU‑funded Strengthened Agricultural Value Chain through Infant Nutrition for Growth project, bringing together government, UN agencies, and district stakeholders.
• Term three food supplies were dispatched to more than 1,200 schools across five districts, while 264 school kitchens were completed ahead of installing energy‑efficient stoves.
• Three Forest‑Edge Development Organizations (FEDOs) were formed to lead biodiversity conservation and community‑based natural resource management.

Funding Outlook

Under its 2026–2030 Country Strategic Plan, WFP requires USD 148.73 million, with a six‑month funding gap of USD 38.53 million. Donors include the European Union, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Korea, OPEC Fund, Sierra Leone, and the UN Peacebuilding Fund.