Mohamed L. Bah, Director of Communications at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) visited and engaged the Russian Federation Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Moscow. This engagement sought to foster partnerships and collaboration between the Sierra Leone NDMA and its Russian counterpart.

Invited by the People’s Friendship University (RUDN) to partake in the Scientific Conference centered around 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): An Integrated Africa Approach, Bah was one of five representatives from Sierra Leone.

Upon his arrival at the Russian Disaster Management Centre, Bah received an extensive tour of the Situation Room, an integral hub where experts analyze global and domestic disaster scenarios across the Russian Federation.

Irakly Arabidze, The acting Director of Emergency at EDC, extended a warm welcome to Bah at the Ministerial Conference Hall, acknowledging past aid provided to Sierra Leone via multilateral efforts. Expressing hope for strengthened bilateral ties, Arabidze outlined their Ministry’s commitment to swift emergency responses, showcasing their 24-hour hotline and technological advancements.

Andrey Koldomov, a senior management officer in the emergency and disaster division, presented a compelling video highlighting their adept responses to disaster situations, illustrating their operational prowess.

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Bah conveyed greetings from the Director General of the NDMA and the people of Sierra Leone.

During two separate presentations, Bah explained the NDMA’s legislative role and operational structure, showcasing the agency’s rapid response and mitigation efforts over two years, notably in preventing potential damages to lives and property.

“We’ve averted numerous crises by swiftly addressing illegal housing and fuel depot issues,” Bah emphasized, highlighting the agency’s proactive measures.

Bah went further to give statistical data on the number of recorded incidents since the NDMA was established ranging from windstorms, flooding, fire, building collapse, and fence collapse which includes public facilities the agency has responded to. He pointed out that the NDMA has responded to a total affected population of over 50,000 across the country.

Seeking collaboration, Bah appealed for capacity building, technical expertise, and technological support from the Russian Disaster Management Centre. He advocated for a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen Sierra Leone’s disaster response, proposing educational initiatives through university courses for aspiring disaster management professionals

The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, signaling prospects for further collaboration and partnership between Russia and Sierra Leone in disaster management endeavors.