Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) Hot Meal Program in Sierra Leone Feeds 1,500 People
- ajoyce140
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Sierra Leone is a country rich in natural beauty, with its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and stunning mountain landscapes. However, more than half of the country’s 8 million residents live below the poverty line, surviving on just USD 1.25 a day. These individuals face daily and relentless struggles, including limited access to clean water, food, healthcare, and quality education.
Unemployment and underemployment are significant challenges in Sierra Leone, especially in rural areas, where many families struggle to meet their basic needs. Daily life is made even more complicated by poor infrastructure, a high cost of living, and frequent power outages. Public services are often limited or unreliable, making it difficult for communities to access opportunities and improve their circumstances.
In recent years, the country’s efforts to reduce poverty have taken a serious hit. The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has left nearly 60% of families reporting a drop in income. At the same time, inflation has driven up the cost of living, stretching household budgets thinner and pushing more people below the poverty line.
For a country already struggling with food insecurity, these overlapping crises have made a bad situation worse. Sierra Leone is now grappling with a severe hunger crisis, with over 1.5 million people classified as facing crisis-level food insecurity.
Around 30% of the population is undernourished, and according to the World Food Programme, more than 80% of people face some level of food insecurity. Perhaps most troubling, nearly one in three children under five years old suffers from chronic malnutrition, a statistic that points to long-term consequences for health, education, and development.
Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) brought relief to many suffering in the Port Loko district and Western rural and urban districts of Sierra Leone this past March during Ramadan with their Iftar program. Over 1500 meals were provided to those fasting through the intense heat. Water and beverages were provided to ensure the people were rehydrated after their fast from sunup to sundown.
Mr. Mustapha is just one of the recipients eager to express their emotions for receiving the Iftar meal. “I am deeply moved by the kindness and generosity shown by LIFE. There is always great thought put into every meal, and each person is treated with the
utmost respect. It is truly heartwarming to know that these Iftar dinners are
available to those in need. Thank you all for making this possible.”
LIFE expresses gratitude to all the donors’ making initiatives like this Ramadan Iftar Program possible. Each year, LIFE aims to expand its reach, providing Iftar meals to an increasing number of individuals while also offering food assistance throughout the year.
Your generous contributions are the heartbeat of our projects, and together, we can achieve so much more! Please consider donating today and help us continue to help those in need.
