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Following a joint communiqué from political parties, brokered by the UN, to denounce post-election violence, Sierra Leone has enjoyed a more peaceful few weeks this quarter.

The country is still heavily reliant on foreign assistance for development and economic stabilisation. Programmes for reducing unemployment, alleviating poverty, and lowering maternal and child mortality are seriously constrained by the country’s weak economic performance. All areas of the economy are currently underfunded.

The purchasing power of the local currency (Leones) is still vulnerable to competitive trends in the foreign exchange markets, and is frequently falling in value. Sierra Leone is therefore unlikely to achieve any of the MDGs by 2015 – according to the DFID country profile reports. 

Sightsavers continues to work with the Government, and in particular the Ministry of Health, to increase eye care capacities and strengthen the primary health care system in the country.

Highlights from our projects

• As a result of the challenges our partners face in managing their resources effectively, we have stepped up our reviewing and monitoring practices, with more regular progress reports.
• So far this year 77,170 people have been examined, and 582 cataract operations have taken place.
• The Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI) and the Initiative for Changing Lives for Ultimate Disability Employment (INCLUDE) each received a one-off financial support in alliance with Sightsavers to promote media awareness on the UN Convention on Disability; and employment promotion for disabled people. These activities subscribed to increasing public knowledge and interest in social inclusion.
• The Ministry of Health and Sightsavers organised and conducted eye examinations sessions at the State House, the Vice President’s Office and the House of Parliament to raise awareness of the issue of eye health. The President, the Vice President and Speaker of the House were amongst the cases examined, and each expressed recognition and appreciation for Sightsavers interventions in preventing blindness.