By: Tamba Borbor (Communication & Advocacy Officer WHH Sierra Leone)
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Sierra Leone on Tuesday 5th March 2024 disbursed grants to Twenty-Five Groups in Potoru and Zimmi Communities to undertake animal husbandry.
Through the Irish Aid funded “Nutrition Smart CommUnity Project” implemented in Bari and Makpele Chiefdoms in Pujehun District, the Grant Distribution is in response to its continued commitment to improving household Food and Nutrition Security among vulnerable households in remote communities, to improve the protein intake of the people.
Speaking on the Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones (Nle 250,000) grant, Hawa Bockarie, WHH Head of “Nutrition Smart CommUnity Project” stated that the financial support was provided to procure chicken, goats, ducks etc. for rearing purposes, to address the critical low protein intake situation in the district.
“We conducted a Baseline Survey in 2021/22 and discovered that the protein intake in this District is very low, and at that time, we supported 15 Groups in Bari (9) and Makpele (6) Chiefdoms with 7,500 New Leones provided to each group. This year, because of inflation, we are now providing 10,000 New Leones to each of the 25 Groups to procure various animals for rearing,” Hawa Bockarie explained.
She stressed that the project participants must ensure the various animals are procured within a month’s period; adding that to further strengthen the nutrition challenge, WHH also conducts Nutrition Camps around the project location, involving Moderately Acute and Severely Acute Malnourished Children.
On monitoring the procurement process of the animals, the Head of Project stated that it will be a joint effort involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, Pujehun District Council, among others, to ensure transparency and accountability on the side of the participants.
“…This is in line with our vision of supporting people to lead a self-determined life with dignity… and working towards a zero hunger by 2030,” Hawa noted.
Emmanuel E. Mustapha, Regent Chief of Bari Chiefdom in his statement during the Grant Distribution in Potoru Community, thanked WHH for the support to boost the nutritional level of the Chiefdom, and said the participants should count themselves lucky to benefit from this project, while urging them to make good use of the support.
The Regent Chief assured of the cooperation of local authorities in ensuring that the project is successfully completed.
He assured of swift punitive action against individuals that deliberately inflict injury on domestic animals in the community.
During the Grant Distribution in Potoru, Edward Kaimba, the District Animal Disease Surveillance Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, expressed delight in being part of “such a supportive project”, which has transformed the livestock sector in the district.
While thanking WHH, he recalled that in the recent past, the people used to travel to the North of the country to buy goats, sheep, and other domestic animals when they require them.
He advised the participants to also pay attention to the health of the animals, which he noted, “can also get sick like human beings and can transmit the disease to others very quickly.”
“You have to collaborate with our Animal Disease Surveillance to ensure your livestocks are vaccinated,” Kaimba urged.
Ahmed M. Sandy, the District Livestock Officer stated that WHH has changed the livestock challenge faced in the district, and advised the participants to value the support and not misuse the funds, but utilize it for the intended purpose.
While officially launching the Grant Distribution in Potoru, Santigie Kanu, WHH Area Manager, in his statement re-echoed that while WHH provides support to the community, it is expected that the people must also play their part and proffer workable solutions to their challenges.
“You must utilize this financial support to transform your lives and the community,” Santigie urged; adding that WHH is pleased that the local authorities are determined to address the issue of animal cruelty from certain individuals in the community.
He assured of WHH’s continued support to improve the low protein level in the district.
On the same day in Zimmi Community, Makpele Chiefdom, the Paramount Chief, Saffa M. Tamue, acknowledged that this is not the first time WHH has provided such support to the community.
“This support has helped to change our eating habits from rice, which is our staple food, to one that focuses more on protein intake. This is why I am urging my people to take advantage of this significant support from WHH to improve their lives,” PC Tamue stated.
The Nutrition-Smart CommUnity Project Grant Distribution targeted 13 Groups in Bari and 12 Groups in Makpele Chiefdoms respectively.
