NDMA Outlines Search and Rescue Gaps as Sierra Leone Joins Regional Conference in Kenya
Osman Tolo Sesay Two National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) officials are participating in a regional conference in Kenya, where Sierra Leone has outlined gaps in its emergency response capacity and proposed a roadmap to strengthen search and rescue operations.
The four-day International Conference on Strengthening Search and Rescue Services in the African Region is being held in Mombasa from November 3-6, 2026. The agency said the delegation comprises its Director of Partnerships, Soko Kai-Samba, and Senior Disaster Officer Michael Lavahun.
During the conference, Kai-Samba delivered two presentations examining Sierra Leone’s search and rescue experience, institutional arrangements and operational capabilities, according to the NDMA.
He highlighted the country’s evolution from traditional community-led rescue efforts to a more coordinated institutional response, with the NDMA serving as the lead coordinating agency. He also outlined the legal provisions that empower the agency to work with national and international partners on disaster prevention, mitigation and rescue operations.
The presentations examined major emergencies that have required search and rescue interventions in Sierra Leone, including flooding, the 2017 mudslide, fires, fuel tanker explosions and building collapses.
Kai-Samba also highlighted the roles played by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, National Emergency Medical Services, private-sector companies and the NDMA in responding to emergencies.
However, he identified several shortcomings affecting the country’s search and rescue capacity, including inadequate specialized training, limited access to appropriate personal protective equipment, the absence of a national coordination framework, insufficient simulation exercises and the need for sustainable funding.
The NDMA delegation also presented Sierra Leone’s proposed National Urban Search and Rescue Roadmap for 2027-2030, which seeks to establish a more coordinated, capable and sustainable national response system.
The conference, convened by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Secretariat in collaboration with the Kenyan government and other international partners, has brought together disaster management institutions, rescue teams, technical experts and development partners from across Africa.
Discussions are focusing on national search and rescue policies, legal frameworks, operational preparedness, specialized equipment, personnel training, medical support, quality assurance and coordination among emergency response institutions.
Organizers expect the meeting to produce practical recommendations and national strategies to guide future investments, technical support and institutional development. Participating countries are also expected to explore opportunities for regional cooperation, mutual assistance and coordinated responses to major emergencies.
The conference is scheduled to conclude on November 6 with the adoption of agreed conclusions and follow-up actions aimed at strengthening sustainable search and rescue services across Africa.