By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, May 25, 2026: Sierra Leoneans say survival pressures—food, water, and electricity—are their most urgent daily challenges, according to a new public opinion poll conducted by the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI).
The survey highlights the weight of economic hardship and utility failures, with two‑thirds of respondents citing affordability and basic service delivery as their top concerns.
Key Findings
- Cost of living: 43% of respondents said affording basic items is their biggest daily hurdle.
- Utility failures: 23% cited unreliable electricity and water access as their primary struggle.
- Combined strain: 66% of citizens are primarily stressed by either the cost of goods or lack of utilities.
- Youth unemployment: 12% identified joblessness as a pressing issue.
- Healthcare access: 11% pointed to difficulties in obtaining medical care.
- Education quality: 7% raised concerns about schooling standards.
- Gender-based violence: 5% said it remains a daily reality.
CHRDI noted that for most citizens, survival outweighs all other concerns. “For two‑thirds of respondents, survival—food, water, and electricity—outweighs all other concerns,” the report stated.
The organization urged policymakers to move beyond promises and take direct action on affordability and service delivery, stressing that the poll reflects a growing demand for urgent interventions in basic living conditions.
The findings place pressure on government and development partners to prioritize affordability and basic service delivery in national planning. With utilities and food costs dominating household stress, CHRDI argues that structural reforms in employment, healthcare, and education will only gain traction if immediate survival needs are addressed first.