The Ministry of Health and UNICEF on Tuesday 13th May 2025 officially launched the new Japanese Supplementary Budget at the ministry’s conference room, Youyi Building in Freetown.
In her presentation, the Director of Food and Nutrition in the Ministry of Health Ms Aminata Shamit Koroma gave a detailed update situational report on the previous budget from 2021 to 2025.
She said there is acute malnutrition prevalence in the country nut that the trend for infant and young children feeding situation in Sierra Leone is improving.
“There is also improvement in breastfeeding practice but there is a decline in quality of children diet since 2017. The 2023 Japanese budget was aimed at ensuring timely humanitarian nutrition services in Sierra Leone. Huge result was achieved coupled with nutrition promotion and prevalence services. The project was a combined support from UNICEF, Hellen Keller International and SAVE the Children International,” she said.
In his Remarks, UNICEF Representative, Rudolf Schwenk, calls for celebration while continuing the excellent partnership between the Government of Japan, the Government of Sierra Leone and UNICEF.
He said the day mark the successful completion of the previous project and proudly launch this new project on “Emergency Nutrition, Health and WASH Response in Five Food and Nutrition Insecure Districts.
He recalled that since 2009, Japan’s support -totaling over $20 million-has been instrumental in improving health and nutrition outcomes across Sierra Leone.
“This collaboration has delivered quality services, built local capacity, and reached nearly 750,000 people. Severely malnourished children have received life-saving therapeutic nutrition, while health workers and nutritionists have been trained to enhance care at the community level.
He pointed out that the Government of Japan’s contribution has also enabled new initiatives, such as the treatment of malnourished pregnant women attending antenatal services across five districts – 20 percent of whom are young or adolescent mothers.
The UNICEF Rep said the Emergency Nutrition, Health, and WASH Response project, presents a critical opportunity to expand our impact. By integrating WASH, climate resilience, and community systems strengthening into nutrition services, we are laying the groundwork for greater sustainability and broader reach. The continued leadership of the Ministry of Health-particularly the Directorate of Food and Nutrition-remains vital in guiding this important work forward.
He said the project will focus on strengthening the quality of care, building resilient supply chains, and empowering Community Health Workers and Mother-to-Mother Support Groups to extend services to the most vulnerable communities.
In his statement the Ambassador of Japan to Ghana and Sierra Leone, H E Hiroshi Yoshimoto said the new partnership is a humanitarian initiative to Support Vulnerable Communities.
He said the Government of Japan commits vital funding to address malnutrition and strengthen health and nutrition services for “at risk populations” in Sierra Leone.
The Japanese Ambassador noted that new collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health is a joint effort to 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.
He noted that the .partnership has been instrumental in providing both preventive and life-saving services, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations in the most food-insecure districts, and creating a more promising future for countless children and communities in Sierra Leone.
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 deprived communities.
Representing the Minister of Health, the Senior Permanent Secretary, Andrew L Sorie, described Japan support to the ministry as a lifetime partners.
He cited the contribution of Japan during COVID-19 and food security system in the country. He said Japan has bring in new technology and introduces better agricultural practices in Sierra Leone.
