By Josephine Sesay
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to disaster preparedness and risk reduction following its routine monthly stakeholders’ meeting, which brought together key actors within the country’s emergency response system. The meeting, held on the last Thursday of the month, convened representatives from the military, police, health services, local councils, and other relevant institutions to review strategies for a coordinated and effective disaster response, particularly as the rainy season approaches.
In his opening remarks, NDMA Executive Director, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Bureh Sesay, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of the forum as a platform for collaboration and strategic planning. He encouraged stakeholders to actively share their insights and recommendations, noting that such contributions are vital in shaping national disaster response efforts. Flood preparedness and risk reduction dominated discussions, with the agency reviewing conditions in flood-prone communities, assessing drainage systems, and evaluating existing emergency response plans.
Participants emphasized the urgent need to clear blocked gutters, relocate residents from high-risk zones, and strengthen early warning systems to mitigate potential disasters. The NDMA also raised concerns over poor waste management, identifying indiscriminate garbage disposal as a major contributor to urban flooding. The agency urged citizens to refrain from dumping waste in streets and drainage channels, warning that such practices heighten flood risks and threaten lives and property.
Community sensitization was highlighted as a key component of the agency’s strategy. Officials disclosed plans to intensify public awareness campaigns through media platforms and community leaders to educate citizens on disaster prevention and appropriate emergency response actions. The NDMA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to build a resilient and responsive disaster management system.
It called on the public to take both individual and collective responsibility in safeguarding communities, stressing that disaster risk reduction is a shared duty. As the rainy season approaches, authorities say proactive measures and sustained public cooperation will be critical in minimizing the impact of flooding nationwide.
