By Theresa Vamboi
The World Food Programme (WFP), an integral component of the United Nations has for quite a considerable period of time provided support to this country. In its country brief published on the 31st October 2019, WFP stated that 292.53 mt of food assistance was distributed with no cash-based transfer made. It furthered that US$ 6 m for six months (October 2019–March 2020) net funding is required adding how 59,573 people were assisted in October 2019.
According to the brief, in October 2019, WFP Sierra Leone assisted 93 percent of its planned beneficiaries through 292 mt of assorted food items distributed to 59,573 beneficiaries receiving food and nutrition assistance for stunting prevention, moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), school feeding and disaster management.
It was revealed that the WFP started complementary feeding for stunting prevention in Pujehun district, assisting 7,416 children aged 6 – 23 months, and 8,129 pregnant and lactating women (PLW). Such an intervention was aimed to address districts with the highest stunting rates, as per findings from the national survey.
It again contains that at the beginning of the 2019/2020 school year, WFP participated in cooking demonstrations that were coupled with nutrition sensitization interventions.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Basic & Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) WFP conducted an assessment of schools in Kambia and Pujehun districts. A head count exercise was done to verify the current enrolment figures of children in supported schools. This also helped to determine whether basic infrastructures are available at given schools.
In October, WFP provided 24,362 students with warm and nutritious meals together with community sensitization and training of education authorities.
