Freetown, 9th April 2026 – The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services across Sierra Leone.
The engagement, held at the Ministry and chaired by Permanent Secretary Allieu Bakarr Conteh, brought together officials from government, CRS, and representatives of the United Nations to review ongoing efforts and identify priorities for scaling impact.
Minister Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy stressed the need for stronger coordination across the sector, highlighting plans to establish a data management platform to support evidence-based decision-making and guide interventions in priority communities.
She noted that improved planning systems and alignment with national policies would be key to expanding access to safe water and sanitation, particularly in underserved areas such as Tombo and Number Two River communities.
The meeting also marked the introduction of CRS’s new Country Director, Michael Moyo, who pledged to build on existing partnerships and work closely with the government to enhance service delivery and protect vital water ecosystems.
Discussions further emphasised the importance of gender inclusion in WASH programming, with the Minister underscoring that respect for women must remain central to all interventions.
Dr. Macarthy also commended CRS for its continued support to Sierra Leone, including emergency response efforts, and called for sustained collaboration, transparency, and open communication to better serve vulnerable communities nationwide.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen coordination mechanisms and accelerate progress toward inclusive and sustainable WASH services across the country.
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Communication Unit -MWRS
Water Security & WASH Project
Supported by World Bank
[email protected]
