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The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts across Sierra Leone during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), led by the organization’s new leadership.
The visit, held on Wednesday at the NDMA Headquarters in Aberdeen, Freetown, was facilitated through the Agency’s Directorate of Partnership. It also served as a farewell engagement for the outgoing CRS Country Manager, Ms. Jeanne Ella Andrianambining.
Receiving the delegation, the Deputy Director General of NDMA, Mr. Sulaiman B. Sowa, expressed appreciation for the long-standing collaboration between the Agency and CRS, noting that the partnership has remained productive and impactful over the years.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of NDMA, Mr. John Vandy Rogers, who provided an overview of the Agency’s establishment under an Act of Parliament in 2020 and its national mandate to coordinate disaster management activities.
He described CRS as one of NDMA’s most reliable partners since the Agency’s inception, particularly in supporting community-level disaster resilience initiatives.
Mr. Rogers highlighted several areas of CRS’s contribution to NDMA’s work, including active participation in coordination meetings, support for capacity-building initiatives, and logistical assistance.
He noted that donations from CRS, which include five laptops, five swivel chairs, a printer, a water dispenser, and five motorbikes, have significantly enhanced the Agency’s operational capacity.
The Director General expressed gratitude to Ms. Andrianambining for her leadership and dedication, stating that her tenure strengthened institutional collaboration between NDMA and CRS.
He also welcomed the incoming CRS Country Manager, Mr. Michael Moyo, and assured him of NDMA’s readiness to further deepen the partnership. Mr. Rogers emphasized that NDMA remains focused on sustainability and proactive disaster risk reduction through community-led and resilient solutions nationwide.
In her remarks, Ms. Andrianambining thanked NDMA for the cooperation and institutional support she received during her time as Country Manager. She described her engagement with the Agency as smooth and impactful and commended NDMA for its professionalism in managing disaster risks across Sierra Leone.
The incoming CRS Country Manager, Mr. Michael Moyo, paid tribute to his predecessor and pledged to build on the strong foundation already established. He reaffirmed CRS’s commitment to continued collaboration with NDMA, particularly through the CLEAR Project-Community-Led Environmental Actions for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience.
A goodwill message was also delivered by the CRS Country Representative from Liberia, who expressed interest in strengthening cross-border collaboration between CRS Liberia and NDMA Sierra Leone.
The engagement concluded on a cordial note, with both NDMA and CRS reaffirming their shared commitment to enhancing disaster resilience and preparedness across the country.
