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The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Sierra Leone has initiated a crucial partnership with the Indian High Commissioner, H.E. B. C. Pradhan, to develop a comprehensive Early Warning System (EWS) aimed at improving disaster risk management in the country.
The strategic meeting took place at the Indian High Commission located on 32B Wilkinson Road, Freetown, following a formal proposal from the Indian Government two weeks prior.
The proposal outlines India’s commitment to provide technical expertise and support for institutional capacity-building within the NDMA.
During the meeting, Commissioner Pradhan commended the NDMA for its leadership in disaster management, stating, “Coming from a disaster-prone country like India, I know firsthand how critical a robust early warning system can be in saving lives and property. The Government of India is committed to supporting Sierra Leone with a model system that could serve as a benchmark in the sub-region.”
In response, NDMA Director General, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, expressed gratitude for India’s support, emphasizing the agency’s achievements since its establishment in 2020.
He spotlighted the formation of regional, district, and chiefdom disaster management committees, along with regional offices in Bo, Kenema, Port Loko, Makeni, and Freetown.
The DG noted, “This initiative comes at a time when the Agency is facing several challenges, including limited early warning infrastructure, storage facility constraints, shortage of relief items, and inadequate operational vehicles. We are deeply grateful for India’s support, which aligns with our capacity-building priorities.”
Commissioner Pradhan further revealed that the Indian Government has already engaged a specialized company to implement the EWS project. The next steps will involve selecting key government institutions to support the project, conducting a virtual coordination meeting with the Indian service provider, and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries.
The implementation of the project, along with a capacity-building phase to train NDMA staff in both Sierra Leone and India, is expected to take between seven to fifteen months following the MoU signing.
