Iceland Embassy, Fudia Terrace, Spur Loop, Freetown, April 17, 2026 – The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) visited the Iceland Embassy in Freetown to deepen collaboration in advancing the blue economy while strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience, particularly for coastal and riverine communities vulnerable to environmental risks.
The delegation, led by Director General John Vandy Rogers, alongside Deputy Director General Solaiman B. Sowa and a cross-section of female staff, met with Iceland’s Head of Mission, Ásdís Bjarnadóttir, and her team to explore strategic areas of cooperation at the intersection of disaster management and sustainable ocean resource use.
In his remarks, DG Rogers provided an overview of the Agency’s legal framework and operational mandate, noting that NDMA was established by an Act of Parliament in 2020 and became fully operational in 2021.
“NDMA was created to coordinate national efforts in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. As risks increasingly affect our coastal and marine environments, we are deliberately aligning disaster management strategies with blue economy initiatives to better protect lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems,” the DG stated.
He added, “Strengthening this alignment enables us not only to respond effectively to disasters, but also to reduce risks through sustainable environmental management and resilient coastal development.”
In his presentation, the Deputy Director General highlighted the vast opportunities within Sierra Leone’s blue economy, particularly in fisheries, maritime trade, and coastal tourism, while emphasizing the importance of integrating risk reduction into these sectors.
“Our coastal communities are at the frontline of climate-related hazards,” he noted. “If we align blue economy investments with disaster risk management, we can address challenges such as coastal erosion, environmental degradation, and economic vulnerability in a more sustainable and coordinated manner.”
In her response, Ambassador Ásdís Bjarnadóttir welcomed NDMA’s integrated approach and commended the Agency for linking sustainable development with disaster risk management.
“The alignment of the blue economy with disaster preparedness is both timely and forward-looking. It reflects a clear understanding that protecting marine resources and building community resilience must go hand in hand,” she said.
She explained that although Iceland officially opened its embassy in Sierra Leone in 2024, it has been working with the country since 2018 through partnerships with government ministries, international organizations, and civil society groups.
Among its ongoing interventions, she highlighted Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes being implemented in 17 communities across five districts in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society and Save the Children International.
The engagement ended on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to sustained dialogue and collaboration aimed at strengthening disaster resilience through blue economy approaches that support sustainable livelihoods and environmental protection.
For More Enquiries:
Directorate of Communications
Toll-free line: 1199 (all networks)
Email: mohamedIbah@ndma.gov.sl
