NDMA Headquarters, Aberdeen – Freetown, November 30, 2022 – Bournemouth University Professor of Crisis and Disaster Management and Deputy Dean of Business School, Lee Miles visited the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and discussed impactful research and best professional practice in the management of disasters in Sierra Leone.
During his visit, Professor Lee Miles engaged the NDMA in research he had conducted in Sierra Leone that evaluated the challenges in managing disasters in the country called the ‘Evaluating Local Disaster Management in Sierra Leone’ project (EVALDIS) which focused on how to address the Single Points of Failure earlier identified by another research he conducted and launched in 2021.
Professor Miles, who made an impressive presentation on the EVALDIS preliminary findings to the management and staff of the NDMA, was able to organize a focus group discussion with the NDMA Regional Coordinators and shared his findings on managing disasters at the local level.
Professor Miles also participated in the NDMA Intra-Pillar meeting with partners, a platform where issues relating to risk reduction, preparedness and response to crises and disasters affecting the country are coordinated.
He shared his experience in areas of mitigation, response and recovery and also shed light on his contributions in responding to both the Susan’s Bay fire disaster and the Wellington fire explosion that left thousands homeless and over one hundred people dead respectively.
Established in 2001, Bournemouth University’s Disaster Management Centre (BUDMC) has garnered decades of experience in education, research and professional practice. It provides world-class training and technical assistance in disaster management to help reduce risks, build resilience and ensure rapid and sustainable recovery when disasters strike. The team have years of experience working in the UK and Overseas assisting governments, ministries, NGOs and multinational organizations with disaster and crisis preparedness, response and recovery.
Professor Miles also went on to express his commitment to support the NDMA in identifying possible areas of collaboration, capacity building, attracting local and international partnerships, developing systems and identifying international platforms where the NDMA can leverage professional and technical support for the management of disasters and emergencies in Sierra Leone.
The EVALDIS Final Report launch is expected to take place in Freetown in early 2023.
