Overview
The overall political situation in Sierra Leone continues to improve. The first elections since UN peacekeepers left two years ago have passed off relatively peacefully.
Despite this, many challenges remain. Almost five years after the end of the war, 70% of the population still lives in grinding poverty.
Concern Worldwide has continued to shift the focus of its work from rehabilitation to long-term development. The emphasis is now on greater access to food, helping people earn a sustainable living and improving water and sanitation.
Reducing the hunger gap
An evaluation of hunger in the areas where we work has reported positive results. Before, families were without adequate food for five months. That gap has now been reduced to two months.
Malnutrition has decreased considerably as well. The number of children suffering from malnutrition has fallen from 13% to 3% in an area covered by our community-based therapeutic care.
Food crisis
But the global food crisis is also affecting communities in Sierra Leone. The video below examines the crisis in more detail.
Improved training and education
17,433 children and 418 teachers in 66 schools benefited from our education work, as did 462 school management committee members. We have been providing training for many unqualified teachers, giving them greater security and credibility.
More achievements in Sierra Leone:
- Some 22,687 people in 228 villages and six urban slums benefited from our health work
- 11,000 households in 229 villages benefited from our livelihoods projects
- 3,000 farmers underwent agricultural training
- 400 families received seeds
