By patricia.ngevao@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Yesterday marked a pivotal moment as Japan extended its support to Sierra Leone’s health initiatives, launching two significant projects aimed at improving clean water access and addressing emergency nutrition response for children under five. Wataru Kodama, a representative of the Embassy of Japan to the Republic of Ghana and Sierra Leone, underscored Japan’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone and Africa, drawing from its own history in combating malnutrition.
Through initiatives like the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit and partnerships with UNICEF and UNOPS, Japan aims to enhance the nutritional status and access to safe drinking water, crucial for combating diseases like malnutrition.
“Japan and Sierra Leone share a longstanding friendship, further solidified through collaboration with UNICEF and UNOPS on projects addressing key concerns in nutrition and water,” emphasized Kodama, highlighting the potential of these projects, with government support, to significantly improve health and quality of life in Freetown.
The Urgency Support for Reducing Waterborne Diseases in Freetown project, led by UNOPS in collaboration with the Guma Valley Water Company, seeks to boost access to safe water and diminish waterborne diseases in targeted areas of Freetown. Simultaneously, UNICEF is implementing an emergency nutrition response project in nine vulnerable districts, aiming to fortify preventive nutrition services and sustain treatment for children with severe acute malnutrition and malnourished pregnant and lactating women.
UNOPS Country Manager, Madam Sophia Goinhas, highlighted the crucial role of water in sustainable development in Sierra Leone, expressing gratitude for Japan’s financial support and emphasizing UNOPS’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits to the people of Freetown.
UNICEF Representative to Sierra Leone, Madam Liv Elin Indreiten, stressed the significance of addressing malnutrition, citing concerning statistics regarding stunting and wasting among children under five. Japan’s contribution will aid in procuring Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to treat children with severe acute malnutrition, furthering progress in reducing malnutrition.
UN Resident Coordinator, Madam Seraphine Wakana, noted that these initiatives address critical challenges aligning with the country’s development goals and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, despite significant gaps remaining.
Deputy Minister of Health, Charles Senesie, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts, highlighting the potential of the projects to improve public health in Sierra Leone, particularly in addressing waterborne diseases and malnutrition.
The Transmission Manager of Guma Valley Water Company emphasized the importance of the partnership in tackling challenges such as intermittent water supply and leakages, expressing confidence in the projects’ ability to mitigate these issues.
By the end of February 2025, UNOPS aims to reach 250,000 beneficiaries by providing access to safe drinking water in Freetown, while UNICEF aims to reach 761,762 beneficiaries, including children in nine districts, by January 2025.
The launch event at UN Headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown, brought together government representatives, sister UN agencies, and the media, highlighting their commitment to the cause. PSN/3/4/2024