SIERRA LEONE Information Sheet

© International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2020

Credentialing Verification Authorities: Ministry of Health and Sanitation

Official Language(s): English and Krio are the main language but twelve different languages exist in

Ongoing Nutrition Activities in Sierra Leone

1. National Dietetic Association There is no national dietetic association in Sierra Leone.

Related organizations Ministry of Health and Sanitation Website: www.Health.gov.sl

2. National Nutrition Programmes/Projects Sierra Leone National Nutrition Survey 2017

3. Organizations working on Health & Nutrition a. National Organizations (Government) Minestry of Health and Sanitation Aminata Shamit Koroma, Director of Nutrition at Ministry of Health and Sanitation Telephone: +232 76-300-770

3b. International Organisations Action Against Hunger Website: www.actionagainsthunger.org World Health Organization Address: bBrookfields WHO Representative Liyosi, Mr. Evans [email protected] telephone: +232 22 233565 https://www.afro.who.int/countries World Program Address: Freetown 69B Smart Farm, off Wilkinson Road, PO Box 1011 Email: [email protected] Phone: +232 76 980 235 http://www.wfp.org/countries/sierra-leone UNICEF Address: UNICEF Government medical stores compound Jomo Kenyatta Road Eew England Freetown, Sierra Leone Email: [email protected] Phone: +232 22-234-996 https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sierraleone_contact.html FAO FAO representative: n/a TIPO, MS Nyabentyi Tito [email protected] World Vision International www.Wvi.org World Hope International Address: 49 Johnson St, Freetown www.Worldhope.org +232 76 637 212 CARE Address: 13 Bath St, Freetown www.Care.org +232 76 89 59 20 GOAL GLOBAL www.goalglobal.org Project Butter Address: 41D Wilkinson Road Freetown, Sierra Leone www.projectpeanutbutter.org +232 76 590 004 [email protected] www.projectpeanutbutter.org SUN www.Scalingupnutrition.org

3c. Educational Institutes (Nutrition Education & Research) Njala University Institute of Food University of Sierra Leone Technology Nutrition & Consumer Studies University of Makeni Milton Margai College of Education & Technology Institute of Public Administration & Management

3d. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) World Hope International Africa International Mission Service Website: www.worldhope.org Website: www.africamissionservices.com Action Aid international Africa Concern International Website: www.actionagainsthunger.org Website: www.concern.net Aberdeen Women’s center Childhelp Sierra Leone No website available Website: www.childhelpsl.org Action Contre la Faim Defense for Children International Website: www.actioncontrelafaim.org Website: www.defenceforchildren.org Christian Children’s Fund GOAL Sierra Leone Website: www.childfund.org Website: www.goalglobal.org Food and Agriculture Organization HOPE Sierra Leone Website: www.fao.org Website: www.worldhope.org Help A Needy Child

Website: www.savethechildren.org

4. Assessment of Training Quality of National Dietitians, their Professional Role and Prestige

Institute of Food Technology, Nutrition & Consumer Studies is an integral academic component of the school of agriculture. Najla University provides nutritional academic programs (Diploma, Undergraduate BSc nutrition & dietetics).

Dietitians may work with NGOs, health services, hospital, research institutions, industries, government ministries and parastatals. No training is required.

5. Brief Description of National Healthcare System and Private Practice

The National Social Security and Insurance (NASSIT) in Sierra Leone provides medical insurance for all employed citizens in both the private and public sector. The rest of the people that are not employed don’t have social security and insurance. Most people don’t have medical access.

6. Employment Opportunities Profile

There are no specific employment opportunities for dietitian in sierra Leone, but people can find jobs online via several job websites like www.sierraLeoneJob.com, www.careeers.sl , www.glassdoor.com, www.ngojobsinafrica.com, www.careers.wvi.org or the official UN and other NGO websites.

7. Obtaining Work Permits

Work permits can be obtained by doing a business registration only. There ar3e no exams or continuing education program.

8. Local Food Customs and Culture

Rice and stews are the main in Sierra Leone. People eat rice on a daily basis and most of them may have rice and stews at each meal including . Palm oil is the main oil used for cooking. Cassava, cassava leaf, potato leaf, okra and ground nut stew are popular too. Cassava is used to make fufu by mixing cassava with water and plantain. You can find everywhere on the street. People sell food on streets as a walking market. They usually use Maggie cubes while cooking and most food is spicy. You can also find fish, beef, and chicken in the same meal! They may put the three type of meat in a stew. drinks are very popular. This is made from fresh ground ginger, , and water. Cashew nuts and ground nuts are popular . The diet of Sierra Leoneans is high in fat and carbohydrate and moderate/low in protein. Food safety is a concern due to the walking food market. People sell cooked food (, chicken, stews) while walking for hours on street! Also, the storage of raw and cooked food is a concern since not all people have fridges or even electricity.

9. CE Opportunities (Local as Well as Upcoming AODA Conference)

CE opportunities for dietitians aren’t available in Sierra Leone.

CPE opportunities are provided through IAAND professional development activities such as IAAND conferences and webinars, through the Academy distance learning programs, the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Academy Foundation resources.

10. IAAND Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities to assist IAAND with your time are probably endless. Learn as much as you can about IAAND and where your skills and interest would be of most benefit both to you and to IAAND. You could: § Assist IAAND in spreading awareness about nutrition and dietetics globally and advocating for nutrition issues in your local communities. § Support IAAND’s growth by recruiting new members and assisting fund- raising team. § Be a member on the IAAND leadership team § Assist in organizing conferences § Submit articles to the IAAND newsletter § Be a Kids Eat Right International volunteer.

For further information please contact the Country Rep Chair: [email protected]

Written by: Fatima Seblini (2020)