Food Assistance Fact Sheet - Sierra Leone

November 8, 2012

Food Security Situation 

CIA World Factbook

• The United Nations Development Program’s 2011 Human Development Index ranks Sierra Leone 180 out of 187 countries evaluated. The 1991-2002 civil war decimated much of the country’s capacity to deliver services to its citizens and maintain their food security.

• More than two-thirds of the population of about six million lives below the poverty line, particularly in the Eastern and Northern regions. Malnutrition ranks among the world’s highest, with acute malnutrition at or above emergency levels of 15 percent among children under five years old.

• Rural and urban food insecurity is a result of high poverty and unemployment rates, and limited physical and economic access to food. This is exacerbated by natural disasters, deforestation, low education levels and insufficient sanitation and infrastructure.

Food Assistance Programs

• The Office of Food for Peace (FFP) supports activities that target approximately 405,049 food-insecure Sierra Leoneans in the Bombali, Kailahun, Koinadugu, and Tonkolili districts.

• FFP partner ACDI/VOCA implements the Sustainable Nutrition and Agriculture Promotion (SNAP) Program to reduce food insecurity among vulnerable rural populations by reducing chronic malnutrition among children under five and enhancing livelihood opportunities. Activities include improving quality nutrition and health services and practices, increasing agricultural productivity and access to financial and marketing resources, and improving community assets.

Food for Peace Contributions

Total Contributions:

Fiscal Year 2012 Contribution Breakdown:

Note: EFSP: Emergency Food Security Program; FY: Fiscal Year; MT: Metric Ton; USD: U.S. Dollar
Food Security Situation information provided by WFP as of December 2011

Country Specific Guidance:

• Sierra Leone Country Specific Guidance

• Sierra Leone Food Security Country Framework