At 71,740 square kilometres, Sierra Leone is approximately the size of Ireland. Although endowed with significant natural resources (diamonds, forestry, marine), it is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking last on the 2007 United Nations Human Development Index. It is estimated that 70% of Sierra Leone’s population of approximately 5.6 million people live under the poverty line, on less than a dollar a day; infant, child and maternal mortality rates in Sierra Leone are the worst in the world and less than half the population have access to safe water. (Source: DFID 2007)

In 1991, the Revolutionary United Front launched a rebellion to bring down the Government which escalated to a decade long civil war over control of the diamond-rich regions of the country.  During the war, tens of thousands of people died, and hundreds of thousands were displaced, the majority of them to neighbouring Guinea.  As a direct result of the conflict, Sierra Leone faces an enormous deficit in good governance and is significantly behind in terms of reaching the Millennium Development Goals. The possibility of instability elsewhere in the region, a contributory factor in the civil war itself, affecting Sierra Leone remains a persistent threat.

Since the completion of disarmament in January 2002, there has been significant progress towards peace and recovery, including extension of civil authority throughout the country, peaceful and democratic local, national and Presidential elections and the return of over 300,000 internally displaced persons and refugees.

Other key achievements include the setting up and completion of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the creation of a number of institutions such as the National Electoral Commission, the Political Parties Registration Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission.  In addition, the Special Court was set up to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian and Sierra Leonean law.

Although these are encouraging signs, much remains to be done to improve the lives of the people and to set the country on the path towards sustainable development.

Ireland’s Assistance to Sierra Leone

Irish Aid, the official development assistance programme of the Irish Government, has had an active engagement with Sierra Leone for many years.  In February 2005 an Irish Aid office was opened in Freetown, headed up by an Irish Aid Development Specialist and accredited from the Embassy in Nigeria. 
Irish Aid’s Interim Country strategy 2006-2007 aimed to contribute towards peace consolidation, sustained recovery, stability and poverty reduction in line with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, through the provision of financial resources and active engagement in policy dialogue.  A new strategy will be developed for 2008 and beyond which will recognise the need to ensure aid effectiveness, value for money, transparency and accountability and the importance of a high degree of partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and with the international donor community, civil society and NGOs.

From 2000 to 2007 Ireland provided approximately €30 million of development assistance to Sierra Leone.  This funding has been delivered through NGO partners (including Concern, Goal, Christian Aid, and MSF), UN agencies (including UNDP, UNICEF, and FAO) and to the Sierra Leone Special Court.  Programmes funded include rural rehabilitation and livelihood programmes, decentralisation of local government initiatives, food security, education and healthcare programmes.  In 2007, Irish Aid allocated over €11 million to Sierra Leone.