Press Release
29 November 2005
Continued progress in Sierra Leone brings further UK support
Further UK assistance for the development of Sierra Leone was announced today, as International Development Secretary Hilary Benn welcomed continued progress by the country in its plans for sustainable growth and reducing poverty.
Since the civil conflict was successfully brought to an end in 2002, the Government of Sierra Leone has made good progress in maintaining peace and security and moving the country towards long-term development. Fiscal control and macroeconomic stability has resulted in an annual GDP growth rate of 7.4 per cent. Gross enrolment rates in primary schools have doubled since 2003 following the abolition of fees in 2002. Child mortality rates are on a steady decline (284/1000 in 1999 to 265/1000 in 2004) with child immunisation rates climbing to 50% in 2004 from 28% in 1997.
Recognising the importance of reducing poverty, the Government of Sierra Leone has developed a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) structured around good governance, security and peace building; promoting food security and job creation and; promoting human development. A Trust Fund managed by the World Bank has been developed to help deliver the PRSP objectives.
Speaking at the fourth Sierra Leone Consultative Group meeting in London, Hilary Benn today announced that the UK will allocate £26 million to the budget support programme, the PRSP Trust Fund and electoral reform, while urging the Government to continue work to fight corruption.
Hilary Benn said:
“Our commitment to Sierra Leone remains strong. The country has made significant progress in rebuilding the general machinery of government and in introducing reforms to help sustain peace, stability and encourage further economic growth.
“The Government has demonstrated its commitment to combat corruption by creating an Anti-Corruption Commission and introducing new procurement rules. But more work is needed to tackle corruption and ensure that services reach the poor, progress which is essential if the Poverty Reduction Budget Support Programme is to be realised.
“Although good progress has been made in some areas such as increasing school enrolment rates, Sierra Leone is still a way off Millennium Development Goal targets in others, such as maternal mortality.
“If Sierra Leone is to continue to it achieve its plans, we must see a concerted effort by the international community to mobilise the necessary additional resources.”
Following today’s announcement, the UK will make an immediate disbursement of £5m to the Government of Sierra Leone, as a result of meeting agreed Action Points on corruption and benchmarks for 2005. In addition, a £15m Poverty Reduction Budget Support Programme (PRBS) will be allocated in financial year 2006-07. The UK Government will also contribute £3m to kick start the World Bank managed PRSP Trust Fund and provide £3m to support electoral reform before the 2007 elections.
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