IRC Ends 26 Years of Work in Sierra Leone

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) officially closed its operations in Sierra Leone on September 26, 2025, after 26 years of service. The IRC first came to Sierra Leone in 1999, during the civil war, and has since supported the country through many difficult times including displacement, Ebola, cholera, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the years, the IRC reached more than 3.5 million people with health, education, protection, and livelihood support. Working alongside government bodies, civil society, and local groups, the IRC helped to strengthen national systems and build community resilience.

Mercy Alidri, the IRC’s Country Director in Sierra Leone, described the exit as a proud but difficult decision.

“I am filled with respect and admiration for the journey we have walked with this resilient nation,” she said. “After 26 years of impactful work, we are confident that strong local organizations are now leading the way, rooted in their communities and ready to continue this mission.”

She thanked staff, partners, communities, and donors for their contributions, saying the IRC’s work has left a lasting legacy.

IRC staff with community members

Over the years, the IRC made major contributions to Sierra Leone’s development. The organization strengthened maternal and child health services and played a vital role in supporting national vaccination campaigns, ensuring that more women and children had access to lifesaving care.

In the education sector, the IRC improved literacy and numeracy for young learners and provided training and skills development for adolescent girls, giving them the tools to build brighter futures.

Cross section of IRC Sierra Leone Staff

The organization also worked to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, supporting survivors and promoting safer, more equitable communities where women and girls could thrive.

To support economic recovery, the IRC created opportunities for financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and skills training, helping people to earn livelihoods and build resilience in the face of hardship.

Another key part of the IRC’s legacy was its commitment to localization. By partnering with Sierra Leonean organizations such as RAINBO Initiative, Defense for Children International, Falaba Women’s District Network, and MoPADA, the IRC helped to strengthen local leadership and ensure that communities themselves were at the center of lasting change.

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC works in more than 40 countries and in 28 U.S. cities, helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities.