Freetown, Monday, April 13, 2026 – The Deputy Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Sulaiman B. Sowa, participated in a high-level meeting of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR), held from March 26 to 27, 2026, in Burundi.
The meeting, convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) serving as Secretariat, brought together regional and national stakeholders to advance the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and Africa’s Programme of Action.
Held under the theme “Accelerating action on the Windhoek Declaration and the Africa Common Position to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 commitments,” the session focused on scaling up investments in multi-hazard early warning systems, risk-informed governance, and sustainable financing for resilience.
Mr. Sowa’s participation highlighted Sierra Leone’s active role in continental efforts to address growing disaster risks, while also providing an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and explore funding mechanisms for climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.
DDG Sowa also emphasized the urgent need to accelerate investments in multi hazard early warning systems, strengthen risk informed governance, and promote sustainable financing for disaster risk reduction. He further pointed out the importance of an inclusive community led approaches in addressing the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters across Africa.
The meeting also reflected on the broader significance of the Windhoek Declaration, adopted in 1991, which stressed the role of a free, independent, and pluralistic media in promoting transparency, accountability, and effective communication – key elements in disaster risk management.
The AWGDRR serves as Africa’s main platform for coordinating disaster risk reduction, offering technical support and guidance to member states in implementing regional strategies and accessing global support systems.
The DDG’s representation at the forum further justifies NDMA’s critical role in leveraging regional and international opportunities to strengthen local disaster management systems.
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Email: mohamedIbah@ndma.gov.sl
