By Ibrahim Kabba Turay
Senior Human Rights Adviser to the United Nations in Sierra Leone Dr. Uchenna Emelonye, has said 70% of the homeless population in the street are made up of young people and street children in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Emelonye made this statement during two days of stakeholders’ engagement in Makeni and Bo City respectively on the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2025-2030.
Presenting the report in Makeni and Bo city, said children are amongst the groups of persons that have been left far behind, said 66% of children in Sierra Leonean are leaving in poverty, and Koinadugu; Moyamba, Bonthe; Pujehun; Tonkolili districts are most affected.
He pointed out that that 4.39% of population of persons with disabilities from northern region while 71% live in rural areas is leaving in poverty
He said adolescent girls impacted by child marriage and harmfulp Practices, (15- 19 years) have either had a child or pregnant, added that this is common in Koinadugu, Moyamba, Western Area Rural, Bonthe, and Tonkolili districts.
Dr. Emelonye those living in Hard-to-Reach Communities, Koinadugu, Falaba, Karene, Bombali, Tonkolili, Kailahun and Kono in the northeast northwest and eastern provinces are mostly affected.
Making a power presentation, Dr. Emelonye, said there are a lot of people that are homeless in Sierra Leone, noting that the homeless people are more of children which he referred to as double jeopardy, added that people with disability are other people that are living in abject poverty.
He encouraged the government for a level playing field for every citizen to have an equal opportunity so no one should be left behind.
He said the report which speaks of ‘Leave No One behind’ (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It represents the unequivocal commitment of all UN Member States to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion, and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole.
