USAID is playing a critical
role in assisting Sierra Leone’s transformation from a war-ravaged
country to one of Africa’s newest democracies.
The
USAID program focuses on local government councils and civil society
organizations by teaching them advocacy skills, by encouraging open
debate and by educating citizens on their rights and duties. The
successful 2007 elections reflect this change: USAID promoted trust
between communities and the councils, generated more income from
local tax collection and started the decentralization process. USAID
program supported women participation in the election process as
future candidates and voters resulting in the election of 16 women
to parliament.
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Many of Africa’s conflicts are
financed through illicit mining and trade of mineral wealth,
particularly diamonds. USAID is working to reinforce legal diamonds
exports and ensure through transparency that government revenues are
implemented for the public good.
USAID worked with citizen
groups and cooperatives to help them monitor mining in their
communities. In addition, USAID encouraged greater government control of
the diamond mining sector. This support has led to a rise in legally
traded diamonds and reduced the effects of conflict diamonds as a
destabilizing force in the region.
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Maternal and childcare is a
major component of USAID’s health initiative in Sierra Leone. In 2007
USAID trained over 2,400 health care providers in maternal and newborn
health and nutrition care. The program helped treat children and
expanded immunization coverage for women and children. The USAID
initiative also supported consultations for pregnant women.
In addition USAID/Sierra
Leone, is providing prostheses, therapy and livelihood assistance to war
victims.
USAID support has led to
greater community and district participation on these issues.
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USAID is helping revitalize
Sierra Leone’s economy by developing the agriculture sector, and by
creating job opportunities, particularly for the younger population.
USAID sponsored training for
women and youth associations in farm and business management. In order
to increase agricultural production, the organization sponsored
technical and agricultural trainings to over 7,000 farmers, 55 percent
of whom were women. The program also encouraged livelihood skills
training for youths; as a result over 1,000 youths received training.
USAID also provided over 5,000 small business loans.
USAID is working with local
communities to improve the administration of natural resources. The
program engages communities to discourage irresponsible logging and
enhances forest-related land-uses for the community.
USAID also focuses on
reducing the environmental impact of diamond mining by teaching miners
new ecologically friendly techniques. This initiative also provides
miners with instructions on work-related safety.
