In line with the Sierra Leone Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) for 2024–2030 and the Ministry of Social Welfare 5-Year Strategic Plan (2024–2028), the project “Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons” has been developed to improve the economic independence and enhance livelihoods for PwDs, especially women and youth. The project’s main objective is to promote skills training, job opportunities for Specially Abled Persons (PwDs) and create an enabling environment for their socio-economic inclusion, self-reliance and independence in communities nationwide.

The requester alleges that construction of a skills center associated with the UNDP-supported project “Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons in Sierra Leone” is taking place on land legally owned by Lifeline Nehemiah Projects, despite an existing court injunction prohibiting such activities. According to the request for investigation, construction proceeded with the presence of armed police and the use of force, resulting in alleged serious harm, including the deaths of two infants, the arrest and assault of community members, and the loss of the only recreational space used by children and youth from surrounding schools and communities. The requester asserts that these actions amount to an unlawful land seizure, raise concerns related to human rights violations, and may be inconsistent with UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards.