Freetown, 10th October 2024 – The Sierra Leone Cabinet has approved three key policy documents for the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA): the National Disaster Risk Management Policy, the National Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Plan, and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Relief. These newly developed policies represent a significant step toward strengthening the agency’s disaster management capabilities and enhancing national resilience.
The development of these documents was supported by the World Bank’s Development Policy Operations (DPO) under the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP), with facilitation from the Ministry of Finance. A series of nationwide consultations played a critical role in meeting essential policy triggers for ongoing budgetary support. These triggers emphasized climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and gender inclusivity, ensuring the policies address the diverse needs of the country.
Directors of Relief and Response, Sinneh Mansaray, and Finance, Morie Bessie Karteh, from the NDMA, provided invaluable technical expertise to ensure that the documents reflect NDMA’s mandate in managing disasters.
Following the Cabinet’s approval, the policies will now enter the implementation phase, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing Sierra Leone’s disaster resilience and response capabilities.
The policies are designed to enhance collaboration between the NDMA and local councils, creating a decentralized disaster risk management system that addresses both natural and human-made disasters. The National Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Plan integrates climate resilience into the nation’s disaster management strategy, preparing the country for future challenges.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for disaster relief and response will improve coordination during emergencies by streamlining communication and action across various agencies. This enhancement will ensure timely and effective responses to disasters, as well as comprehensive risk assessments and recovery processes.
The approval of the National Disaster Risk Management Policy marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey toward becoming a more resilient nation, better equipped to face increasing disaster risks. By fostering strong partnerships between government agencies, local councils, civil society, and international organizations, the country is laying the foundation for a proactive and responsive disaster management system.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, Director General of the NDMA, emphasized the importance of evolving disaster management frameworks to meet the growing risks posed by both natural and human-made disasters.
“It is through consultations like these that we can ensure we are prepared, not only to manage disasters but to reduce risks before they occur and recover stronger after the storms have passed,” remarked Lt. Gen. Sesay. He underscored the significance of the consultation process in shaping policies that reflect the needs of the communities they are designed to protect.
The implementation of these policies will be supported by the World Bank, particularly through the National Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Plan and the SOPs on Relief and Response. These documents will serve as crucial tools in developing a more coordinated, inclusive, and responsive disaster management system in Sierra Leone.
