Sierra Leone launched the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Initiative on 2 October 2012 in Freetown. The event was launched by the Vice President (VP) of the republic, Chief Samuel Sam Sumana on behalf of His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The launch is a demonstration of the high-level commitment of the government and its leadership in the Initiative.
In his key note address the Vice President expressed government’s determination to “fully operationalize the activities of the SUN Initiative in the country” as laid out in the implementation framework. He described the launching and the subsequent roll out of the implementation plan as a “decisive action against hunger and malnutrition in Sierra Leone”
The former President of Cape Verde and West African Nutrition Advocate HE Mr Antonio Monteiro , First Lady of the republic of Sierra Leone, Deputy Executive Director WFP, Regional Director of UNICEF for West and Central African, high level government officials, parliamentarian, development partners, civil society organizations, NGOs other invited guests attended the ceremony. Goodwill messages were delivered by Representatives of Development partners, UNCT, UNICEF, WFP and Mr Monteiro supporting the initiative. On the government side, the Ministers of Health, Agriculture and Finance & Economic Development made statement committing their ministries.

As sign of commitment of the various stakeholders such as ministers of governments led by the Hon Vice President, heads of agencies including the Executive Representative of the UN Secretary General in Sierra Leone, Mr Jens Toysber-Frandzen, and representatives of NGOs and CSO signed a declaration of commitment for SUN.

SUN Initiative is a global movement that brings together broad constituencies of stakeholders in a partnership with shared vision to address malnutrition. Sierra Leone joined the SUN Movement in February 2012 and has appointed the Vice President as the national SUN focal person and the First Lady as a champion. The Movement is supported locally by the government, NGOs, United Nations system, donors, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector.

Sierra Leone Adopts Scaling Up Nutrition Initiative

For More Information contact:

World Health Organization, 21 A and B Riverside Drive, off King Harman Road, Freetown

Phone : 232-22-233565 , +232-76-77787

e-mail: whosl [at] sl.afro.who.int

Website www.whosierraleone.org