U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt visited Kenema this week to see how U.S. Government funding through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting food security efforts. Through a $3.2 million grant to the UN World Food Programme(WFP) in 2022, the U.S. Government and partners have been assisting the most vulnerable households against the impact of high food and fuel prices and supporting the school feeding program.
Ambassador Hunt met with smallholder farmers belonging to the Gbotima Farmers’ Association in Bandawor town to discuss the ongoing work towards achieving food security. He also witnessed the school feeding program at the National Islamic Primary School in the same town. Over 69,700 children, 52 percent of them girls in 328 schools, are benefiting from a daily hot meal in Kenema district. With U.S. Government financial assistance, WFP has also supported over 1,400 smallholder farmers in the district to cultivate 181 hectares of inland valley swamp ensuring year-round cultivation in support of the Government of Sierra Leone’s ‘Feed Salone’ initiative.
During his visit, the Ambassador congratulated local leaders in Kenema for engaging with farmers and school administrators to address some of the worst impacts of the ongoing global food crisis. While challenges remain in securing the food systems in Sierra Leone, the Ambassador said “It is reassuring to see how community members are working together to build sustainable solutions. I’m proud that the U.S. Government can support these efforts.”
