UNICEF Airlift First Aid Kits for Schools in Sierra Leone
By Mohamed Konneh
UNICEF Norway in collaboration with UNICEF Sierra Leone on Tuesday 11th March 2025 airlifted First Aid kits for schools in Sierra Leone marking a significant mile stone in health care delivery for school kids in the country.
The Norwegian air shuttle ASA flight with UNICEF logo on its tail, touch down on the Lungi tarmac on Tuesday afternoon with the consignment. The kits brought in is part of support to the free Education program of the government of Sierra Leone.
Supported with funding from the World Bank, the kits will be supplied to both primary and Junior secondary schools across the country.
The UNICEF representative in Sierra Leone, Rudolf Schwenk celebrated and explained the smooth landing of the 2,400 First Aid Kits specially flown in by Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA as part of the Fill a plane partnership with UNICEF Norway.
“The delivery is the first of the nearly 8200 kits procured by UNICEF for the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education project, funded by generous donors including the World Bank, FCDO, IRISH Aid and the European Union,” the UNICEF Sierra Leone Rep said.
‘This event is symbolic of our collective commitment and joint efforts to promote safe and healthy environment for children to learn in Sierra Leone.”
Rudolf Schwenk was clear on children’s ability to learn and develop depending upon their safety and welfare.
Through this, he said this special initiative assures that schools are better prepared to provide emergency medical aid when needed, especially in an environment where access to health care is essential.
“The provision of these First Aid Kits aligns closely with the Government of Sierra Leone’s comprehensive Safe Schools policy 2023, which underscores the importance of equipping educational institution with the necessary tools to respond to medical emergencies,” the UNICEF Rep narrated.
Ambrose Sesay Coordinator Free Quality Education in Sierra Leone gave the rationale noting that the kits will serve pre-primary and junior secondary schools in the country.
“President Bio in his first time put Education as a priority and with this moving forward we are now building human capital of the country,” Ambrose noted.
“Schools in all 16 District will benefits from these items, while assuring that the items will be properly ultilised for its intended purpose. We also do this in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the reason all of us are here.”
The Norwegian Representative began by praising the beauty of Sierra Leone while arriving by air, describing the country unique landscape while up air.
The Deputy Minister of Health Professor Sahr Senesie thanked UNICEF and the World Bank describing the collaborative effort as unique and that his Ministry continue to enjoy that partnership.
“Sierra Leone’s health sector put children at the heart of service delivery. Government will continue to replenish these stocks when they runs out and this consignment brought in marks that commitment. Let me used this moment to thank the World Bank and all other partners for this support.”
‘Collaboration in this venture is very important and we are happy that all of us were able to pull through in this venture,” the World Bank Representative, Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Education Specialist highlights.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sakey in his statement said the kits marks a significant contribution to the education sector.
“8,167 thousand schools will benefits from these kits as this initiative will ensure schools are equipped with essential materials.”
The Minister talk about training for teachers who will be handling the kits while thanking UNICEF Norway and local partners for their contribution toward airlifting the kits to Sierra Leone.
The First Aid Kits brought in will soon knock the door of schools and ready to be utilized.
