By: Saidu Jalloh
A shipment of 2,400 boxes of first aid kits for schools across Sierra Leone arrived at Freetown International Airport (Lungi) on March 11, 2025. The consignment, procured through UNICEF with funding from the World Bank, is part of the Sierra Leone Free Education Project. This initiative aims to improve the well-being of students by ensuring access to essential medical supplies in schools.
The UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone, Mr. Rudolf Schwenk, expressed gratitude to the Norwegian Air Shuttle for flying the UNICEF First Aid Kits to Sierra Leone. He noted that this delivery marks the first of nearly 8,200 kits procured by UNICEF for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MBSSE) School Education Project. The project is funded by generous donors, including the World Bank, FCDO, Irish Aid, and the European Union.
Mr. Schwenk emphasised that “this event symbolises our collective commitment and joint efforts to promote a safe and healthy learning environment for children in Sierra Leone.” He explained that children’s ability to learn and develop depends on their safety and well-being. Through this initiative, UNICEF ensures that schools are better equipped to provide emergency medical aid when necessary, especially in areas where access to healthcare is often limited.
The provision of First Aid Kits aligns with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Comprehensive Safe Schools Policy 2023, which underscores the importance of equipping educational institutions with tools to respond to medical emergencies. Mr. Schwenk reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to safeguarding children in schools across the country, improving access to quality education, and creating safer school environments.
“Together, we are taking concrete steps to ensure every child’s right to learn and grow in a safe environment,” Schwenk stated. He called on all stakeholders to collaborate in strengthening their efforts and leveraging resources to provide sustainable solutions that protect the health and future of children across the nation.
Additionally, Mr. Schwenk praised the Norwegian Air Shuttle for its ongoing partnership with UNICEF in delivering essential supplies to children in need. Since 2014, the airline has chartered numerous humanitarian aid flights, delivering critical supplies to countries such as the Central African Republic, Jordan, Mali, Yemen, Chad, Ethiopia, and now Sierra Leone.
Amrose T. Sesay, the Project Coordinator for the Free Education initiative, noted that the First Aid Kits would be distributed to schools nationwide to support emergency medical treatment and create a safer learning environment. He explained that this shipment is a vital part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector by addressing critical health and safety needs in schools.
Sesay further clarified that 8,147 schools would benefit from this donation, including 5,410 primary schools, 1,460 pre-primary schools, and 1,417 junior secondary schools. In total, 2.3 million children are expected to benefit from the provision of these First Aid Kits.
This donation marks a significant step towards improving both educational and health outcomes for students across Sierra Leone, as the country continues to prioritise the well-being and safety of its children.
