The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Maria E. Brewer and her team along with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director, Steve Nsubuga on Thursday 10 December 2020 visited Maluseni village in Koya chiefdom, Port Loko district.

The purpose of the visit was for the Ambassador to interact with beneficiaries and listen first-hand to their stories on how the COVID-19 has affected them and the support they are receiving to help them cope with the devasting impact of the pandemic. This follows a recent contribution of US$3.5 million by the US Government through USAID to WFP to assist the most vulnerable households whose situation has been exacerbated by COVID-19.

The Ambassador was welcomed by the Regent Chief of Koya chiefdom, Saidu Conteh, who expressed his gratitude to America for not leaving his chiefdom behind.

Speaking during her visit, the Ambassador mentioned that the USA has increased support to Sierra Leone in 2020 providing more than US$10 million just for COVID response, adding that America was very proud to work with WFP to support the most vulnerable communities in the country.

“Just as we stood with the people of Sierra Leone during Ebola, we still stand with this country during COVID-19 and the food insecurity that has come out of it,” said Ambassador Brewer.

The Representative and Country Director of WFP, Steve Nsubuga praised the long-standing relationship between the US and WFP, underscoring that consistently America has been the largest donor to the agency.

“This timely and generous donation by UASID will enable WFP to support those whose dire food and nutrition situations have been exacerbated by the pandemic in many districts in Sierra Leone,” said Steve.

The Resident Minister North-West Region, Hon. Haja Isata Abdulai-Kamara stated that the fact that Sierra Leone’s COVID-19 infection and death figures are low is not a coincidence but rather, a result of careful and deliberate measures put in place by H.E. the President and his team. Thanking the Ambassador for her gestures, she also reiterated the need for more support for inaccessible communities like Maluseni.

The chairman of Port Loko District Council, Ibrahim S. Bangura, in his statement viewed the visit to Maluseni as an eye opener to the challenges faced by those farthest behind.

Over 51,000 beneficiaries across the most food insecure districts of Kenema, Kambia, Kono, Port Loko Tonkolili, and Western Area (Rural and Urban) will benefit either from unconditional in-kind food assistance or cash transfers.

A symbolic launch of the cash transfer climaxed the event with the Ambassador making cash payment to one of the beneficiaries, Fatmata Jalloh.