World Vision launches ENOUGH Campaign in Sierra Leone

World Vision International Sierra Leone, as part of the World Vision International Partnership, has launched a three- to five-year campaign called "ENOUGH". The ENOUGH Campaign is a major initiative designed to raise awareness about the critical issue of child hunger and malnutrition in Sierra Leone. The campaign aims to reach 3.5 million children across the country. ENOUGH is a programmatic and advocacy campaign with the primary goal of ending child hunger and malnutrition.

The Sierra Leone campaign launch on 9th July 2024, at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown, was led by the Sierra Leone's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security and brought together diverse stakeholders ranging from Government representatives, NGO and INGOs, and children themselves.

Presentations from various speakers including Sagane Thiaw, the National Director of World Vision International Sierra Leone, called for collective action to increase efforts to combat child hunger and malnutrition. Mr. Thiaw emphasised the ENOUGH campaign's alignment to the Sierra Leone Government's Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024 - 2030 which has 'Feed Salone' (Feed Sierra Leone) as the flagship programme, and Human Capital Development as one of the ‘big five’ game-changers. The "Feed Salone" initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity to fuel inclusive growth, increase local food production, reduce the country’s dependence on food imports, decrease hunger, increase export earnings, create jobs, and build a resilient food system.

Mr. Thiaw further outlined that there is political will and by this, there will be enough resources to help the children of Sierra Leone have nutritious food to grow healthy and develop well. “As the global ENOUGH campaign will focus on child hunger and malnutrition across all countries, we will rely on research to guide our interventions. I'm not only referring to internal research but also resources such as the Global Action Plan on Child welfare and more”, he said.

He further shared that World Vision International Sierra Leone desires to advocate through the ENOUGH campaign for accelerated progress in efforts to address child hunger and malnutrition across the country. “We are committed to mobilising and working with stakeholders at all levels in this unprecedented campaign to build a Sierra Leonean society where every girl and boy is nourished and thrives. Every child deserves the food that he or she needs to develop a healthy body and mind. Every family deserves to be able to put ENOUGH of the right food on the table”.

Mary Patricia Baindu Kobba the Advocacy, Communications, External Engagement and Partnering Director for World Vision International Sierra Leone set the stage with a presentation on the ENOUGH campaign’s global and national themes. She then invited all the guests to pledge to support the fight against child hunger and malnutrition.

Launching the campaign, the Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka expressed the Government’s commitment to promote healthy nutrition and improve the well-being of all children in Sierra Leone. He commended the efforts of World Vision stating that his ministry is willing and ready to work with the organization and other partners to address child hunger and malnutrition in Sierra Leone. He thanked the Government for passing the Child Marriage Bill and stated “I want the Government to put the same energy in helping World Vision to achieve this initiative as they did to stop child marriage”.

Dr. Kpaka further illustrated the benefits the country will enjoy from achieving the goals of the ENOUGH campaign, urging that children receive the best food because they are the most valuable asset of any country. He appreciated that some of the key areas of the campaign will focus on include health facilities, providing services including nutrients, support to recognise nutrition, promote agriculture and livelihood, by improving agriculture.

Chairperson of Gender and Children affairs in the well of parliament Hon. Cathrine Zainab Tarawally, lauded the campaign and echoed the need for Government officials to prioritise the well-being of children and invest in programmes that will promote nutrition for all. 

The National Coordinator for Scaling up Nutrition in the Office of Vice-President Nenebah Jalloh, and Rene Bessin, the Country Team Lead for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) all commended World Vision for the initiative and pledged their support in implementing sustainable solutions to tackle the problem of child hunger and malnutrition in Sierra Leone.

 On behalf of the children, Thomas shared his personal experience and implored all to adopt a united effort in combating child hunger and malnutrition in Sierra Leone. He commended the Minister of Agriculture for gracing the occasion stating that it is a show of Government commitment and therefore as children they hope the Government will support World Vision in the campaign. “In this fight against hunger and malnutrition, let us be warriors and not survivors, together we can make ENOUGH a reality for every child in Sierra Leone”, he said.

While thanking the audience Senior Operations Manager of World Vision International Sierra Leone, Saffa Andrew Koroma, highlighted that The ENOUGH campaign in Sierra Leone is part of continental and global World Vision initiatives connected to Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). He noted that the campaign also includes a drive to improve data collection systems at national and global levels so that children can be reached with support and have their voices heard in shaping key policies and outcomes. 

World Vision’s global ENOUGH campaign is premised on the principle that children’s right to adequate food must be respected, protected, and fulfilled and that no child should go to bed hungry. It is a response to the challenges brought about by climate change, conflict and the cost of food, increasing the number of children in need of aid.

We have had ENOUGH of child hunger and malnutrition but we believe there is ENOUGH nutritious food for every child.