From Crisis Response to Sustainable Development in Sierra Leone

Concern Worldwide has a longstanding presence in Tonkolili District, working to improve education, food security, and economic opportunities for vulnerable communities since 1996.  

Through its Irish Aid Safe Learning Model (SLM) (2017-2021) in Tonkolili, Concern developed a holistic approach to education that addressed school-related gender-based violence within a comprehensive educational framework.  

Concern’s current Irish Aid livelihood programme; Food System for Food Security (Yoti Yoti) (2023-2027), aims to increase vulnerable households' resilience to food and nutrition insecurity by strengthening food systems in Tonkolili and Port Loko Districts through equitable and climate-smart practices.  

These projects have significantly contributed to the districts’ development and set the foundation for improved coordination and governance within the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) framework. 

Rapid Emergency Response: Concern Worldwide’s Impact in Tonkolili 

Beyond its ongoing development work, Concern Sierra Leone has also played a crucial role in emergency response within Tonkolili District.  

In December 2024, a fire broke out in one of the communities, leaving many families in distress and destroying seed and food supplies from the harvest. The cause of the fire is still unclear but strong winds are speculated to have contributed to the spread of the flames. As the emergency unfolded, community members reached out to Concern’s Emergency Coordinator, seeking urgent support. While Concern Worldwide could not directly intervene in firefighting efforts, Concern immediately informed the District Council, resulting in a rapid assessment 2 days after. 

The council-led assessment, supported by Concern, was instrumental in identifying critical needs and mobilizing assistance for affected households. Despite the council’s limited ability to provide direct financial or material support, the assessment enabled Concern to respond swiftly with essential assistance from Irish Aid: 

• Provision of cash assistance to replace lost seeds, ensuring that affected farmers could restore their agricultural activities.
• Cash support for children to replace lost school uniforms, allowing them to return to school without disruption.
• Procurement of farming tools, which will be delivered to farmer field schools (as part of the Yoti Yoti programme) to support agricultural recovery. 

Without the structured approach facilitated by the council assessment, the urgent needs of the affected community may have gone unrecognized, and the response could have been significantly delayed. This incident underscores the importance of strong coordination between NGOs and local authorities, ensuring that communities receive timely and effective support in times of crisis. 

Recognition of Tonkolili’s Progress in Development Coordination 

At the recently held bi-annual Peer Review and Experience Sharing on DDCC Implementation, Tonkolili District emerged as the best-performing district of 2024, rising from 59% in 2023 to an impressive 84% in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) rating 2024. While this recognition was awarded to the district, it reflects the collective efforts of key development partners, including Concern, whose leadership in NGO coordination has been instrumental in driving progress. 

Concern Sierra Leone has played a vital role in shaping collaboration and accountability. As the lead agency for all International NGOs operating in Tonkolili, Concern has not only facilitated coordination but also ensured that critical information flows seamlessly between NGOs, the District Council, and MoPED. 

The Power of Coordination 

One of Concern’s primary responsibilities within the DDCC is to convene and lead NGO to NGO coordination meetings every two months. These meetings provide a structured platform for INGOs to align their efforts, share updates, and collectively address challenges. As part of this process, Concern collects reports from all INGOs, compiles them, and presents a comprehensive overview during DDCC meetings. This ensures that NGO contributions are recognized and integrated into the broader district development strategy. 

Driving Accountability and Inclusion 

A key challenge identified during DDCC engagements was noncompliance among certain NGOs regarding district council registration, as mandated by MoPED’s new regulations. Concern took on the responsibility of following up with these NGOs, ensuring that they completed the registration process, thereby helping to improve transparency and accountability in the district.  

Another crucial action point was ensuring that Masanga Hospital, in Tonkololi, which operates as an NGO, actively participates in coordination efforts. Despite its significant role in healthcare, the hospital had not been attending NGO to NGO meetings. Concern took the initiative to engage Masanga Hospital’s management, facilitating discussions that ultimately led to their commitment to attend meetings and provide regular reports. 

A Collaborative Approach to Development 

The success of Tonkolili District is a testament to strong leadership, effective coordination, and collective commitment to development goals. While the MoPED rating acknowledges the district’s overall progress, it is also a reflection of the tireless work of organizations like Concern Worldwide, which ensure that NGOs are not only active but also accountable in their contributions.