Welthungerhilfe, in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, officially launched the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) on Thursday 20th February, 2025 at the Bintumani Hotel Conference Hall on Aberdeen in Freetown. The theme was: “How Gender Justice Can Advance Climate Resilience and Zero Hunger”.
The event brought together key stakeholders, Government officials and development partners to discuss the country’s hunger situation within the global context and find solutions.
The Global Hunger Index (GHI), a comprehensive tool for measuring and tracing hunger globally, assess countries based on four key indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality. These metrics offer a multidimensional perception on food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide.
Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Saa Hemore recognized the country’s GHI score of 31.2, classified as serious. He noted that while this figure underscores significant challenges, it also reflects progress; down from a score of 57 two decades ago. He credited this improvement to intensification of local food production, targeted nutrition programs and improved food security initiatives.
The Deputy Minister emphasized on the “Feed Salone” program, spearheaded by President Julius Maada Bio, as a key strategy in combating hunger. Saa Hemore maintained that efforts under the initiative include increased agricultural productivity, expanded irrigation, improved seed distribution and the development of rural infrastructure such as feeder roads and bridges to minimize post-harvest losses. He also stressed on Government of Sierra Leone-backed credit lines for agribusinesses, aimed at reducing dependency on food imports and ensuring maintainable nutrition security.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of tackling undernutrition, particularly among children, through an expanded school feeding program that incorporates locally sourced, nutrient-rich produce. He restated that addressing hunger requires a holistic approach, involving different but interconnected strategies.
Emmanuel Octave Bananeza, Country Director of Welthungerhilfe, emphasized on the urgency of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030, as set by global development goals. He noted that gender justice plays a critical role in building climate resilience and ensuring food security.
“Africa has enormous agricultural potential, yet many of its countries still suffer from severe hunger. Women’s involvement in agriculture and food systems transformation is vital. Gender-inclusive policies and programs must be at the heart of our hunger eradication efforts,” he stated.
He added that the GHI is not meant as a critique but as an assessment tool to highlight progress and encourage action. By tracking data over the years 2000, 2008, 2016, and 2024, the index provides valuable insights into trends and areas requiring urgent intervention, he noted.
Sarah Cundy, Program Director at Concern Worldwide, provided a Sierra Leone-specific analysis of the Global Hunger Index, underpinning the role of gender justice in achieving climate resilience and sustainable development. She pointed out the need for equitable resource distribution, greater inclusion of women in decision-making and community-driven methods to tackling food insecurity.
“Sierra Leone has made significant strides, but food security remains fragile, affected by inequalities in geography, gender and socio-economic status,” Sarah Cundy stated. She stressed the necessity of addressing these disparities to ensure long-term progress in reducing hunger and malnutrition.
The event also highlighted collaborative efforts between the Government and international organizations. Concern Worldwide partners with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to foster knowledge sharing, policy coordination and collective action to combat hunger.
As discussions concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to achieving food security and resilience in Sierra Leone. They called for sustained investment in agriculture, gender-responsive policies and stronger partnerships between Government institutions, development organizations and local communities.
With the 2024 Global Hunger Index serving as a guide, the launch event highlighted the need for urgent, inclusive and harmonized efforts to address hunger and build a more food-secure future for Sierra Leone.
