United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with Sierra Leone Government

By Josephine Sesay

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and with funding from the OPEC Fund for International Development, has launched a landmark initiative titled Re-Energizing School Meals in Freetown, the project aims to strengthen the sustainability and climate resilience of Sierra Leone’s National School Feeding Programme.

With a budget of $1.2 million from the OPEC Fund, the project will introduce fuel-efficient cookstoves and establish community-managed woodlots in 440 schools across Pujehun, Kenema, and Kambia districts. By reducing firewood consumption by over 2,600 metric tons annually, the initiative is expected to significantly curb deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

Beyond its environmental goals, the project prioritizes the health and safety of more than 1,300 volunteer women cooks, minimizing their exposure to toxic smoke from traditional open-fire cooking, it also ensures that over 110,000 school children receive meals more efficiently in a cleaner, safer environment, speaking at the official launch event, key stakeholders underscored the project’s cross-cutting benefits to education, health, and the environment.

This initiative is a win for education, health, and the environment, said Hon. Yeama Mimi Soba-Stephens, Deputy Minister of environment and climate change, we must take bold and smart steps to address climate challenges while protecting our people and natural resources, Joseph Lamin, Head of the School Feeding Secretariat, emphasized the project’s broader relevance in the context of global climate challenges.

In a world increasingly affected by climate change and environmental degradation, it’s crucial that we link food security, education, and sustainability, he said, representing the OPEC Fund, Ijeoma Emenanjo described the initiative as a regional model, we are proud to support this important project. Sierra Leone is pioneering a practical solution that we hope will inform similar efforts in neighboring countries like Liberia.

WFP Country Director in Sierra Leone, Yvonne Forsen, highlighted how the project integrates multiple development goals By combining clean energy solutions with school feeding, we’re building a model that advances food security, climate adaptation, gender equity, and child development, she noted, on the ground, the impact is already being felt. Memunatu Turay, a volunteer cook at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Primary School in Rokupr, Kambia District, shared her experience

The cooking environment is now smoke-free, and we prepare meals much faster, it’s a big change for us, with its multi-sectoral approach, the Re-Energizing School Meals project represents a critical step in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of climate-smart development and inclusive growth. It also sets a new benchmark for sustainable school feeding programs across the West African region.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 14th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)