UNICEF, in partnership with the Irish Embassy in Sierra Leone, on Thursday, 29 January 2026, officially launched a Joint UN Nutrition Programme (2025–2029) aimed at strengthening climate change resilience, food systems, and nutrition security in the country.
The programme will be implemented in four districts Bombali, Kailahun, Kenema, and Moyamba and focuses on addressing malnutrition through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.
Speaking at the launch, the UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone and Chair of UN Nutrition, Rudolf Schwenk, highlighted that malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children under five in Sierra Leone.
“While the country has made progress, 26 percent of children are still stunted and 5.2 percent are underweight, placing national efforts off-track to meet the global 2030 nutrition targets,” he said.
Mr. Schwenk explained that the Joint Nutrition Programme brings together the Government of Sierra Leone and United Nations agencies to deliver a coordinated, multi-sectoral response that strengthens climate resilience systems, improves food and nutrition security, and supports national commitments under the Feed Salone priority, the Mid-Term National Development Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
He added that the programme contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 13, and will be implemented through existing government systems, with strong community-level engagement to ensure ownership and sustainability.
The Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Patrick McManus, expressed delight in being part of the initiative, describing it as a vital intervention for the country.
“UN Nutrition strengthens climate change resilience and food systems in Sierra Leone. This programme is designed to ensure that pregnant women give birth to healthy babies and that children have a better nutritional start in life,” he said, noting that the programme will be implemented across four districts.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State, Office of the Vice President, Manty Tarawally, thanked the Government of Ireland, UNICEF, and other UN agencies for their support. She noted that the programme aligns closely with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Mid-Term National Development Plan.
She explained that the Joint Programme supports holistic and integrated approaches to food and nutrition interventions, contributing to the government’s Feed Salone priority under the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 13), and related outcomes of the UNSDCF.
“The programme is unique as it brings the UN family and the Government of Sierra Leone together to work as one. It will address malnutrition comprehensively, and we expect positive results,” she said.
The governance structure of the Joint Programme includes a Steering Committee with oversight responsibility for the overall management and implementation of the initiative. The committee will serve as the highest decision-making body, providing strategic guidance, fiduciary oversight, and coordination.
It will facilitate effective collaboration among participating UN agencies, government representatives, and donors, and will review and approve programme documents, including results frameworks and monitoring and evaluation plans, on a semi-annual basis. The committee will also review annual consolidated narrative and financial reports, approve evaluation terms of reference where applicable, and follow up on the implementation of accepted recommendations.