Japan and WFP Sign US$1.25 Million Food Aid Grant to Support School Meals in Sierra Leone
Guest Contributor The Government of Japan, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Sierra Leone have signed a grant of JPY 200M (US$1.25M) to provide nutritious school meals to nearly 30,000 children.
The 2026 Kennedy Round (KR) Food Aid Grant will support school meals in 135 Government-assisted pre-primary and primary schools across six chiefdoms in Pujehun District for two years.
The funding will cover the procurement and delivery of food commodities for nutritious school meals, strengthen the capacity of school-level stakeholders, and support the purchase of locally produced rice from smallholder farmers through the Home-Grown School Feeding approach.
Speaking about Japan’s continued support for Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Ambassador of Japan to Sierra Leone, said the initiative reflects Japan’s commitment to investing in the wellbeing and future of the children of Sierra Leone through strengthening the National School Feeding Programme, improving its sustainability and reach to more children.
“Through previous Kennedy Round grants, Japan has helped WFP provide school meals to thousands of children in schools across Pujehun and Kambia districts. This latest agreement targets nearly 30,000 children in Pujehun District over two years.”
The intervention is expected to help reduce short-term hunger among school children while supporting their wellbeing, school attendance and ability to learn.
Hon. Emily Kadiatu Gogra, Deputy Minister I of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, welcomed the donation, highlighting its contribution to the Government’s education priorities.
“The grant strengthens our ability to maintain school feeding while we continue developing the national capacity and financing arrangements necessary for its long-term sustainability.”
Beyond providing meals, the initiative will strengthen linksbetween school feeding and domestic food production. Through the Home-Grown School Feeding approach, WFP will purchase rice from smallholder farmers, creating a reliable market for local produce and supporting rural livelihoods.
Mr. Andrew Odero, WFP Representative and Country Director in Sierra Leone, said the contribution will helpWFP address children’s nutrition needs while expandingopportunities for local farmers.
“For more than six years, the Government and people of Japan have stood alongside WFP and the Government of Sierra Leone to support school feeding, particularly in Kambia and Pujehun districts. Through successive Kennedy Round food aid grants, Japan has provided school meals for thousands of schoolchildren. Japan has also helped WFP invest in the agriculture sector, enabling smallholder farmersto sell to the school feeding programme.”
The signing ceremony at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown brought together representatives of the Government of Japan, the Government of Sierra Leone, WFP, JICA and the National School Feeding Secretariat.
The new contribution reaffirms the partnership between Japan, WFP and the Government of Sierra Leone in supporting the National School Feeding Programme andstrengthens opportunities for local farmers.
For the nearly 30,000 children expected to benefit in Pujehundistrict, this partnership means a nutritious meal at school and a greater opportunity to stay healthy, remain in the classroom and learn.