Sierra Leonean students studying in Russia have raised the alarm over what they describe as a worsening humanitarian crisis, after going nearly a full academic year without receiving their government stipends.
In a strongly worded statement, the National Union of Sierra Leone Students in the Russian Federation (NUSS-RF) said stipends for the 2024/25 academic year (September 2024 – June 2025) remain unpaid, leaving students unable to cover essential expenses such as medical insurance, hostel fees, visa renewals, and food.
The crisis, students said, has been compounded by international sanctions on Russia, which make it nearly impossible to receive financial support from family members back home. With the new academic year (2025/26) set to begin in less than two weeks, they warn the situation is becoming untenable.
“We are facing severe hardship due to our inability to meet daily and annual financial obligations,” the students declared, calling for the immediate payment of all outstanding stipends and urgent intervention by the Government of Sierra Leone.
The student body also urged civil society organizations, humanitarian groups, and international media to amplify their plight, describing their situation as a “humanitarian crisis.”
NUSS-RF said months of diplomatic efforts and dialogue with authorities had failed, forcing them to go public. They threatened further action, including peaceful protests, if their stipends are not paid before the new academic year begins.
By Julian King
