World Bank and Sierra Leone Step Up Food Security Efforts with New Crisis Monitoring Initiative

As climate shocks, economic pressures and global uncertainties continue to threaten food systems, the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank are strengthening the country's ability to detect and respond to food and nutrition crises before they become emergencies.

In a significant move to enhance national preparedness, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), has concluded a two-day Joint Monitoring Report (JMR) Workshop in Mile 91, Tonkolili District. The World Bank-funded initiative is designed to improve the capacity of government institutions to collect, analyse and share timely data that supports rapid decision-making during crises affecting food and nutrition security.

The workshop forms part of the implementation of Sierra Leone's newly developed Food Security and Nutrition Crisis Preparedness Plan and complements the Government's Feed Salone Agenda, which prioritises agricultural transformation and national food self-sufficiency.

Around 60 representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, alongside development partners including the World Food Programme (WFP), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLMet) and the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), participated in the training. The sessions focused on the Joint Monitoring Report framework, a collaborative system that enables institutions to monitor, assess and anticipate structural, environmental, health and socio-economic risks that could disrupt food security.

World Bank Group Consultant Julius Babatunde Adewopo said the initiative equips technical experts with the skills needed to develop evidence-based Joint Monitoring Reports that will strengthen policy decisions and improve coordination among government and development partners. He noted that timely and reliable information is critical for mobilising resources and responding effectively before, during and after crises.

FSRP Sierra Leone Task Team Leader Dr. Adetunji Oredipe described the country's Food Security Crisis Preparedness Plan as a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to protecting agriculture, livelihoods and the national economy from future shocks.

Closing the workshop, Dr. Kepifri Lakoh, FSRP Project Manager, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained by ensuring the early reporting of emerging threats. He emphasised that proactive monitoring and coordinated action will strengthen Sierra Leone's resilience and safeguard food and nutrition security for communities across the country.

The workshop underscores the growing partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank to build a modern, data-driven early warning system capable of protecting lives, supporting farmers and securing the nation's food future.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security