The Government of Japan commits vital funding to address malnutrition and strengthen health and nutrition services for at-risk populations in Sierra Leone
In a strategic move to tackle rising food insecurity and improve health outcomes, the Government of Japan has launched a new humanitarian initiative in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health. This joint effort will deliver critical nutrition, health, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services to vulnerable communities, particularly children and women, who are disproportionately affected by malnutrition and limited access to essential services, including WASH.
“The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) expresses its deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan for its unwavering support in combating malnutrition. This partnership has been instrumental in providing both preventive and life-saving services, addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations in the most food-insecure districts, and creating a more promising future for countless children and communities in Sierra Leone,” said Dr. Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health.
The new project, Emergency Nutrition, Health, and WASH Response in Five Food and Nutrition Insecure Districts, was launched today and will run through 2026. This year-long initiative aims to integrate nutrition, healthcare, WASH services, and climate resilience to safeguard the health and well-being of pregnant women and young children in the most vulnerable areas.
“Japan is dedicated to supporting our partners in Sierra Leone on their journey toward Universal Health Coverage, with nutrition playing a vital role in that progress. We recognize that achieving these goals means reaching the most underserved communities and making intentional efforts to leave no one behind. We look forward to seeing this project contribute to Sierra Leone’s broader development agenda, particularly efforts to end malnutrition,” said H.E. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Ambassador of Japan.
“Through the Government of Japan’s generous support, we are not only treating severe malnutrition but also investing in the systems that ensure children grow, learn, and thrive. This partnership is saving lives today and transforming futures tomorrow,” said Rudolf Schwenk, UNICEF Representative.
The preceding Japan Supplementary Budget-supported project delivered transformative results:
• Nearly 750,000 people reached with essential nutrition and health services.
• Over 800 health workers and nearly 80 district nutritionists trained.
• Nearly 1,500 frontline workers trained to counsel mothers on optimal infant and young child feeding.
• Over 26,000 severely malnourished children treated with therapeutic foods, covering over half of the national caseload.
The new phase of the project aims to enhance the quality of care, strengthen community health systems, and improve supply chains, while integrating Mother-to-Mother Support Groups and reinforcing the role of Community Health Workers as critical links to families and communities.
This work builds on over a decade of impactful collaboration between Japan and UNICEF in Sierra Leone, a partnership that has already contributed more than $20 million in support since 2009. The Ministry of Health, particularly through the Directorate of Food and Nutrition, will provide technical leadership and oversight to ensure successful implementation and alignment with national strategies.
As Sierra Leone continues to face interlinked challenges of food insecurity, climate change, and economic shocks, this joint effort underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in delivering tangible, long-term results for the most vulnerable communities.
