Problems of Sierra Leone
- As a result of high population and a decade of civil war that ended in 2002, poverty is widespread throughout the country.
- At first glance Sierra Leone is the perfect example of democracy, but a more critical glance will reveal a state reverting to a one-party dictatorship.
- UN (United Nations) say that famine could be facing the capitol (Freetown) because of intense fighting between rebel forces and Nigerian peacekeeping forces.
- Sierra Leoneans collect most of their drinking water from polluted sources. Pollutants and poor sanitation are attributed to some of the health problems in the country. Sierra Leone is one of the toughest countries to survive in.
- Inefficiency and corruption are serious problems at all levels within the government of Sierra Leone.
- Ten years of brutal civil war had a devastating effect on the people of Sierra Leone – killing tens of thousands and maiming many physically as well as mentally. More than two million people were forced from their homes and into a life of abject poverty.
Since the war ended in 2002, sickness and disease have become the biggest threat to people’s lives.
Sierra Leone consistently falls at the bottom of the United Nations ranking of living conditions; it is currently rated 180 out of 187 countries (UN Human Development 2011). It also has one of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality in the world.
Health risks
Many communities have poor access to water and general sanitation is often appalling. The majority live in rural areas and rely on water from rivers, pools, shallow wells, springs and swamps, which is often dirty. They are vulnerable to outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, hepatitis A, cholera and typhoid fever.
Lassa fever spread by rats, yellow fever, malaria, meningitis, and TB are all serious concerns.