NDMA Commemorates International Day For Disaster Risk Reduction

By Marilyn King
The National Disaster Management Agency Sierra Leone (NDMA-SL) on Monday 14th October 2024 joined the world over to commemorate the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction with the theme “empowering the next generation for a resilient future.
The event which was held at the New Brookfields Hotel, conference room brought together partners, government officials.
In his welcome address the Minister of the Western Region, Ambassador, Adekunle King said the theme is key and that the NDMA is responsible to manage disasters.
He said the day is to raise awareness but also to use innovation to reduce risk.
Ambassador King called for sustainable management of the environment adding that the many challenges of the environment are manmade.
In his opening remarks the Deputy Director of NDMA, John V Rogers said the country has had a number of events that had impacted the country and that NDMA continues to respond to the events.
He said the day is an important day as disaster continues to happen, impacting schools, and other sectors.
The Deputy Director of NDMA noted that building the preparedness of children is important as all of these will help build resilience.
He said having children in the program is part of effort in preparing their minds for future occurrence.
The Director General of the NDMA, Rtd., Leitenant General Brima Sesay said the day started in 1989 as a day set aside by the UN to raise awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction.
He said the day is celebrated all over the world and that the day reminds world leaders about the many disasters across the world.
He said many disasters have occurred across the world.
The Director General said the theme for this year resonates with government mid-term development plan and that this year’s celebration is in line with children.
He said disaster occurs when there is vulnerable interaction with communities.
He said Disaster affect roads, agriculture, and many more.
He referenced a UNICEF report which states that over one billion children are affected all over the world by climate change issues.
“Let us strive to impact the young generation including school children by building their resilience in disaster management,” he urged.
He said empowering children through Disaster Risk education is preparing for the future.
He maintained that the International Day is a reminder to government about their commitment adding that the government has done so much in this direction.
“As we joined our global partners in commemorating this day the NDMA has done so much,” he said.
He stated that the Agency has produced a manual that guides children adding that in 2023 teachers were trained across the country to capacitate them on Disaster Risk Reduction for children.
He said that in collaboration with Bournemouth University the Agency had produced two documents and that in recent times, Sierra Leone had witnessed series of disasters including river floods, collapsed buildings and many more.
In his Keynote address, the Deputy National Security Coordinator of ONS, Ahmed A. Sannoh said as they gathered to reaffirm their commitment to strengthen resilience as a nation, they must also focus to equip the need of the next generation with the tools of the disaster resilience.
He furthered that natural and human disaster have consistently threatened the lives and livelihoods and the progress of communities.
He said, like many nations around the world Sierra Leone has faced the destructive elements like floods landslide and other catastrophic events like collapsing of buildings.
He maintained that the resilience and strength of the people of Sierra Leone has always prevailed, and demonstrated the part of unity and preparedness and collective action.
He concluded that the youth are the foundation of Sierra Leone future representing hope, innovation to foster a more resilience nation.