By Lemuella Tarawallie
The Government of Sierra Leone, the Irish Embassy, and United Nations agencies on Thursday, 29 January 2026, signed a £7,465,076 Joint Nutrition Programme Agreement aimed at strengthening climate-resilient food and nutrition security across the country.
The agreement, covering the period 2025–2029, brings together UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), World Food Programme (WFP), FAO, and the Government of Sierra Leone, with funding from the Government of Ireland through Irish Aid.
The programme seeks to deliver a coordinated, multisectoral response that strengthens climate-resilient systems, improves food and nutrition security, and supports national commitments under the Feed Salone agenda.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Irish Embassy, UNICEF Country Representative Rudolf Schwenk described malnutrition as one of the most critical threats to child survival in Sierra Leone.
“Malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children under five,” Schwenk said, noting that 26 percent of children are stunted, while 5.2 percent are underweight, despite progress made. He noted that, by 2029, the joint programme aims to: strengthen climate resilience and improve access to safe, diverse food while enhancing livelihoods; expand equitable access to high-quality, gender-responsive, and climate-resilient nutrition services for vulnerable populations; and improve governance, coordination, and advocacy on nutrition, food security, and climate action at both national and district levels.
The Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Patrick McManus, described the initiative as a major investment in Sierra Leone’s future, stressing Ireland’s long-term commitment to locally led development.
“This programme is about fixing local realities while building national resilience for the future. Food security and good nutrition are not optional; they are foundational to development,” he noted.
Ambassador McManus revealed that Ireland will invest €7.5 million in the programme over four years, with €6 million already committed, adding that Ireland will spend €30 million on climate-resilient food and nutrition programmes in Sierra Leone by 2028. “Ireland is putting real resources behind resilience, nutrition, and locally driven solutions.”
“This is a multi-sectoral response that brings health, food systems, climate action, and governance into one coordinated effort. When children are well nourished, communities thrive and nations grow stronger,” he reiterated.
Minister Manty Tarawallie, speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, thanked the Government of Ireland for its continued support, describing the programme as a game-changing intervention.
“This initiative shows that eradicating malnutrition is a top national priority, community by community. There is no failure here, only results. This programme aligns directly with the President’s Big Five Game Changers and our national development agenda,” she added.
She further noted that, for the first time, government and UN agencies are working together under one unified nutrition framework. “This is a template for how partnerships should deliver real, measurable impact,” she furthered.
She also highlighted that the programme aligns with Feed Salone, Sierra Leone’s flagship food security initiative, and demonstrates the government’s commitment to reducing malnutrition nationwide.
