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Youth activists celebrate 30 years of Concern Sierra Leone

30 years of transformative work in Sierra Leone

Concern has spent three decades in Sierra Leone, supporting communities, building resilience and changing lives.

In 2026, Concern Worldwide celebrates 30 years of working in Sierra Leone - a country of culture, kindness and resilience.

Concern Worldwide first started working in Sierra Leone in 1996, responding to the growing humanitarian needs driven by a civil war.

We have been there ever since, working hand-in-hand with communities and both local and national governments to fight the multi-dimensional causes of extreme poverty. Our focus has been on health, nutrition, livelihoods, emergency response, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) - all aimed at reducing poverty in Sierra Leone and helping communities to build successful livelihoods and resilience against shocks.

These programmes include addressing the dangers facing expectant mothers through innovative maternal health interventions, training farmers in climate-smart techniques, and addressing access to education for girls.

We have also responded when crisis has struck - from the widespread cholera outbreak of 2012, when we distributed emergency kits and provided clean water sources, to the devastating Ebola epidemic in 2014, where we worked on prevention and provided safe dignified burials.

We are proud of the progress that we have made with the support of our local and national partners, and our fantastic team, but we are not done in our mission of ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes.

Marie Mansaray in her field in Sierra Leone

Marie Mansaray is the Chairlady of her local women farmers’ group, where members grow crops including cassava and potatoes. Photo: Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide

Hassan Kargbo, Concern Livelihoods Programme Manager for Yoti Yoti in Mile 91, Sierra Leone. Photo: Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide

Ramatu Bangura beams with pride as she watches her four year old son, Osman, play full of energy and laughter after recovering from severe malnutrition that once left him hospitalised and too weak to stand. Photo: Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide

Kadiatu M. Fullah (21) is preparing to welcome her first child and says she feels supported and cared for in her new community. Photo: Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide

Sayyeda Salam, Concern UK Executive Director, Catherine Ferrier, Chair of the Concern UK Board and Carol Morgan, Concern International Programmes Director visited the Concern Sierra Leone team in Tonkolili District. There they met the small Manjahun community impacted by the Yoti Yoti project (Food and Nutrition Security through Equitable and Climate Smart Food Systems). Photo: Concern Worldwide

Concern staff join Sierra Leonean community in Port Loko

Sayyeda Salam, Concern UK Executive Director, Catherine Ferrier, Chair of the Concern UK Board and Carol Morgan, Concern International Programmes Director joined the Concern Sierra Leone team in Port Loko District and the Kiegbal Community, they had an opportunity to witness the implementation of two key initiatives: the LANN project and the Green Climate Fund-Project. Photo: Concern Worldwide