Sierra Leone

The surge in COVID-19 cases in Sierra Leone at the onset of 2021, accompanied by necessary movement restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, exacerbated existing challenges, notably food insecurity, and disrupted livelihoods for those reliant on unstable income sources. This situation disproportionately affected women, youth, and individuals already living in poverty, leading to further income reductions. Border communities, heavily reliant on cross-border trade with neighboring countries, faced significant economic downturns due to travel restrictions and border closures. This strain underscores the urgent need to prioritize interventions that ensure the safety and well-being of communities affected by crises. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen the human security of these communities, not just for alleviating their immediate needs but also for their ability to withstand and recover from present and future challenges.

While progress has been made to promote stability and inclusive development in Sierra Leone, significant obstacles remain in realizing the SDGs. In the Kono District, interconnected challenges including civil instability, a non-diversified economy with limited opportunities for income generation, unsustainable mining practices, destructive forestry activities, low agricultural productivity, and inadequate governance systems for community decision-making negatively impact the lives, livelihoods and opportunities of the residents, and undermine advancement of the SDGs.