Development Minister calls for cooperation to reduce disaster risk losses
SIERRA LEONE, Freetown: The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Francis Kai-Kai, says that addressing the challenges of disaster prevention, mitigation, and response in the country requires the support and cooperation of both national and international partners.
The Minister stated in his keynote address at this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction commemoration on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at the Freetown International Conference Hall, that cooperation of both national and international partners is required to boost disaster resilience in the face of extreme weather events and other natural and man-made hazards.
Minister Kai-Kai expressed national pride in President Bio’s realisation of the global vision of establishing a stand-alone Disaster Management Institution tasked with managing disasters and other emergencies in Sierra Leone.
“The establishment of the necessary disaster risk governance structure in the country is in response to the international community’s clarion call. That vision has become a reality in Sierra Leone with the establishment of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the deployment of quality personnel to the institution,” the Minister said.
Minister Kai-Kai, speaking on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, commended and appreciated the international partners who have made significant contributions to the establishment and capacity building of the newly created NDMA, while also calling on others who have the desire to provide the Agency with the necessary support.
In his speech, NDMA Director-General Lt. Gen (Rtd) Brima Sesay emphasised the importance of the occasion in the protection of lives and property around the world. He assured the audience that President Julius Maada Bio’s administration was firmly committed to international cooperation, particularly on issues affecting developing countries.
Daniel Bob Jones, Chairman of the Community Disaster Management Committee said as volunteers they were committed to the process of raising awareness on disaster preparedness and prevention in their communities, particularly in the coastal areas that are prone to disaster in Freetown.
Prof. Foday Jaward, Minister of Environment; Mohamed Orman Bangura, Minister of Youth Affairs; and Buakai Bindi Hindowa, Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs all spoke on issues such as addressing climate change within Disaster Risk Reduction Management; and using climate services to support Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). OG/15/10/2021