Driving Nutrition & Food Systems Progress in Sierra Leone: A Decade of Determined Leadership

N4D is in conversation for a second time&nbsp;(check&nbsp;out previous short podcast at N4G Summit) with Madam Manty Tarawalli, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, discussing Sierra Leone's nutrition progress since joining the SUN Movement in 2012. An acknowledged leader in politics and development,&nbsp;the Honourable Minister&nbsp;is spearheading country-led initiatives to tackle malnutrition:&nbsp;“When&nbsp;you demonstrate leadership as a country by saying to partners, this is the approach you want to take and these are the reasons &amp; expected outcomes you foresee, you get partners following that drive. Without that leadership you get confusion and people doing whatever they want to do,” she&nbsp;affirms. It seems to be paying off. Recent standout moments include:<ul><li>High-level political leadership with nutrition anchored in the Office of the Vice President;</li><li>Integration of the SUN Secretariat with the Food Systems Coordination Unit for stronger multisectoral alignment;</li><li>Introduction of national multisectoral nutrition budget lines&nbsp;(2026)&nbsp;and a new information management system to track investments;</li><li>Expansion of home-grown school feeding to 270,000 children; and</li><li>Major nutrition gains: exclusive breastfeeding up from 31%&nbsp;(2012)&nbsp;to 50.9%&nbsp;(2023),&nbsp;stunting reduced from 33%(2012)&nbsp;to 25%&nbsp;(2024),&nbsp;and wasting down from 10.7%&nbsp;(2012)&nbsp;to 6.3%&nbsp;(2024).</li></ul> We also discuss&nbsp;key&nbsp;challenges—food insecurity, climate vulnerability, financing constraints—and why sustained investment and innovative financing mechanisms are critical for continued progress. SUN Movement support has been crucial, providing technical assistance and donor linkages. The&nbsp;Minister advocates for ring-fenced nutrition financing for poorer countries, risk guarantees to boost private sector growth, and multi-country projects to stimulate economic development. The discussion highlights the complexity of multisectoral nutrition efforts and the importance of coordination and tailored support. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65858661/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please join the debate!</a>&nbsp;Credits:&nbsp;Recorded edited and published by:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.n4d.group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">N4D</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nutriat.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutriat.co</a>Theme tune: Saraweto, used with kind permission of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justeastofjazz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Just East of Jazz</a>© N4D Group 2025

Episode 46:  Madam Manty Tarawalli. SUN-RISE or SUN-SET? Where next for the SUN Movement?

El Salvador's (and SUN´s) recipe for success in reducing malnutrition? Country-led priorities and domestic resources complemented by more aligned and tailored international support

Like many Latin American countries, El Salvador’s malnutrition problems are increasingly more likely to be Type 2 diabetes amongst eight year-olds than stunting amongst children under 5. Elisa Gamero, Chief of Health and Nutrition Projects in the Office of the First Lady, paints a picture of how the country is tackling high rates of both undernutrition and child overweight/obesity and increased consumption of ultra processed foods. In recent years, El Salvador has made big strides in putting nutrition high in the political agenda, including new laws promoting a healthy start in life, launch of a youth platform, work with the private sector, a national nutrition strategy and more aligned action by UN and other international partners. A multisectoral approach and resource mobilisation, both domestic and international, lie at the heart of these initiatives.&nbsp;“It was not easy at first… when we first convened these actors, they look at each other [around] this table and say ‘what do I have to do with nutrition? This is a health perspective.’ But when we started developing the actions and they feel that they could connect with all the actions that surround the reduction of malnutrition in El Salvador, they're fully and strongly committed.” SUN’s Latin America regional learning hub and technical support are other features that El Salvador counts as gifts from the SUN Movement - “it’s so important that we learn from countries with a similar political approach and context”. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65858661/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please join the debate!</a>&nbsp;Credits:&nbsp;Recorded edited and published by:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.n4d.group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">N4D</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nutriat.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutriat.co</a>Theme tune: Saraweto, used with kind permission of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justeastofjazz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Just East of Jazz</a>© N4D Group 2025

Episode 45:  Elisa Gamero. SUN-RISE or SUN-SET? Where next for the SUN Movement?

Nutrition diplomacy in action: promoting a Nexus approach to international aid in Yemen

“I think there is a huge [opportunity] to take the lessons learned from Yemen and to try to bring them into the other countries where I see the SUN [Movement] working as a global actor…We need the voices of [Humanitarian, Development, Peace] HDP Nexus coordination everywhere to explain what it is and to show what it is…&nbsp;that could be the example of Yemen… a model to other countries.” Marcela Masiarik, Head of Cooperation with Yemen at the German Embassy in Amman (2021-2025) N4D director Chris Leather is in conversation with German diplomat Marcela Masiarik on her 5-year stint as Head of Cooperation in Yemen, coordinating efforts on the ground for humanitarian assistance, economic cooperation and development. Marcela elaborates on her leadership role in promoting a Humanitarian, Development and Peace nexus approach to international aid and a multisectoral approach to nutrition. This is fascinating and wide-ranging discussion from a donor’s perspective – the importance of bridging the gap between humanitarian and development efforts, and how this played out during her time in Yemen where Germany is one of the country’s biggest donors. What were the strategic approaches, which tools did they use to develop coordination, which structures were put in place – and how did they deal with the country’s complex political situation? Marcela shares her experiences on key achievements during her time and the challenges of working in a volatile security situation. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65858661/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please join the debate!</a>&nbsp;Credits:&nbsp;Recorded edited and published by:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.n4d.group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">N4D</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nutriat.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutriat.co</a>Theme tune: Saraweto, used with kind permission of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justeastofjazz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Just East of Jazz</a>© N4D Group 2025

Episode 44: Marcela Masiarik. SUN-RISE or SUN-SET? 

Where next for the SUN Movement?

Our latest podcast in the SUN series is another country (and regional) voice - this time we’re in conversation with George Ouma, coordinator of the <a href="https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/african-leaders-for-nutrition-initiative" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">African Leaders for Nutrition Initiative</a>. The ALN is is a platform jointly established by the African Union and the African Development Bank to drive high-level political will to tackle malnutrition. Discussions with George range from ‘game-changer’ policy reforms he’s working on in his current role, such as a framework to harmonise multisectoral policies across the African continent, to what it takes to galvanise high-level political will for nutrition and which countries are making strong progress.As a former SUN civil society coordinator in Kenya and chair of the <a href="https://www.suncivilsociety.com/regional-groups/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">East and Southern Africa SUN Civil Society Network</a>, George reflects on what SUN is doing well - and where the Movement could do better.“Strong advocacy [has been achieved] through SUN networks… [acting as] a catalyst to heads of state realising that nutrition is a priority that should be integrated into national development plans.” But he believes that SUN networks other than civil society need to play a stronger role - “Academia should be generating evidence, the donor network is not just about giving money but should also focus on supporting advocacy at regional level… we need to make sure that every network delivers…” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65858661/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please join the debate!</a>&nbsp;Credits:&nbsp;Recorded edited and published by:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.n4d.group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">N4D</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nutriat.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutriat.co</a>Theme tune: Saraweto, used with kind permission of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justeastofjazz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Just East of Jazz</a>© N4D Group 2025

Episode 43: George Ouma. SUN-RISE or SUN-SET? 

Between 2010-2020, SUN developed successful partnerships and collaborations at the global level that translated into action at the country level… but missed opportunities to strengthen regional capacity.”Mohamed Ag Bendech, Independent Expert on Nutrition and Development supporting the National Information Platform for Nutrition&nbsp;(NiPN)&nbsp;in Niger In this first SUN conversation with a country voice&nbsp;during our current series on the future of the SUN Movement,&nbsp;previous N4D podcast guest Mohamed Ag Bendech&nbsp;shares historical perspectives on the birth of SUN, its role, added value and strategic priorities. He draws on his extensive experience, particularly in West African countries including Niger and Mali, to underline the successes and challenges that faced the SUN Movement in its first decade – and what it now needs to do to rekindle enthusiasm for SUN in countries and repair the disconnect at the regional level. Mohamed highlights the role of regional institutions such as the African Union and the African Development Bank in strengthening a multisectoral approach, and SUN’s recent success in decentralizing its offices to provide expertise closer to the countries. His advice to the SUN Movement to shine more brightly in its next phase? Focus on objectives for each region and work with regional communities. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65858661/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please join the debate!</a>&nbsp;Credits:&nbsp;Recorded edited and published by:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.n4d.group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">N4D</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nutriat.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutriat.co</a>Theme tune: Saraweto, used with kind permission of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justeastofjazz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Just East of Jazz</a>© N4D Group 2025

Episode 42: Mohamed Ag Bendech. SUN-RISE or SUN-SET? 

Looking backwards to look forward

N4D’s directors kick off the series with a deep dive into the past, the present and the future of the SUN Movement. What did the global nutrition architecture look like before SUN was set up, what was the impetus for the Movement’s creation, how was it intended to function and what have been its successes to date? They also speak candidly on whether the SUN Movement has reduced the fragmentation of nutrition and its related sectors - at both country and global level – and share their thoughts on what the new 4.0 strategy needs to include. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65858661/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please join the debate!</a>&nbsp;Credits:&nbsp;Recorded edited and published by:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.n4d.group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">N4D</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nutriat.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutriat.co</a>Theme tune: Saraweto, used with kind permission of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justeastofjazz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Just East of Jazz</a>© N4D Group 2025

Episode 41:The N4D Team. NEW SERIES. SUN-RISE or SUN-SET? Where next for the SUN Movement?

Dr. Dereje Duguma Gemeda, State Minister, Health Service & Programme Wing, Ethiopia

Karima Al-Hada´a Planning & Liaison Specialist, SYS; Assistant National Food Systems’ Convenor; and Executive Committee member, global SUN Movement 

Greg S. Garrett, Executive Director of Access to Nutrition initiative (ATNI)

Challenging Conversations with Decision Makers

This N4D podcast delivers a series of conversations with country and global decision makers who share their learning on what works, the challenges they face and the support they need to drive political change to end malnutrition. Credits:Recorded edited and published by: N4D &amp; <a href="https://nutriat.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutriat.co</a>Theme tune: Saraweto, used with kind permission of <a href="https://www.justeastofjazz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Just East of Jazz</a>© N4D Group 2023

The Politics of Ending Malnutrition - Challenging Conversations with Decision Makers

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