By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, Sierra Leone – A collaborative effort to combat malnutrition, improve health services, and enhance access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in vulnerable districts has been launched under the Emergency Nutrition, Health, and WASH Response Project. The initiative, jointly led by the Government of Japan, UNICEF, and the Government of Sierra Leone, will run from March 2025 to February 2026 and focus on improving the well-being of children under five and lactating mothers.
The launch event, held on May 13, 2025, at the Ministry of Health Conference Hall in Freetown, featured remarks from His Excellency Hiroshi Yashimoto, Ambassador of Japan to Sierra Leone and Ghana, and UNICEF Representative Rudolf Schwenk.
Ambassador Yashimoto emphasized Japan’s commitment to nutrition and health interventions, stating, “This project focuses on children under five and lactating mothers, whose nutritional well-being is essential. Japan remains committed to global efforts to fight hunger and malnutrition, reinforcing the 2030 Agenda’s objectives to end hunger and improve health outcomes.”
Project Impact and Institutional Support
The initiative builds on Japan’s previous nutrition response project, which successfully improved food security across nine districts. UNICEF’s Representative Rudolf Schwenk highlighted Japan’s continued commitment, noting that Japan has contributed over $20 million to Sierra Leone’s health and nutrition sector since 2009.
“The impact of this partnership has been tremendous—saving lives, strengthening health systems, and building resilience. Nearly 750,000 people have benefited from improved nutrition services, with severe acute malnutrition cases treated across key districts,” Schwenk stated.
Key Interventions and Long-Term Goals
The new project integrates WASH and climate resilience into nutrition programs, ensuring sustainability. Aminata Shamit Koroma, Director of Food and Nutrition, shared progress on stunting reduction, stating that Sierra Leone’s stunting prevalence has dropped from 40% in 2005 to 26% in 2021, with ongoing efforts to bring it below 20%.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Brenda K. Muwaga outlined the project’s four focus areas: sustained treatment, prevention, climate-resilient WASH support, and system strengthening. “We aim to reach 40% of malnourished children and expand access to preventive services for infants aged 6–11 months,” she explained.
The project will be implemented across five districts, with WASH interventions targeting one district specifically. Facility assessments will determine infrastructure gaps in inpatient centers to strengthen healthcare delivery.
A Call for Continued Collaboration
Stakeholders reiterated their commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s path to universal health coverage and urged stronger community engagement. The Ministry of Health, with UNICEF and Japan’s support, remains focused on building resilient supply chains, improving data systems, and empowering healthcare workers.
“This is more than just support; it is a strategic investment in Sierra Leone’s future,” Schwenk noted. “Together, we will ensure that every child—like Salamatu, a one-year-old treated for severe acute malnutrition—has the opportunity to survive, grow, and thrive.”