Post a comment 
Sierra Leone is actively participating in high-level continental discussions on climate resilience and disaster risk management at the 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP16) of the African Risk Capacity (ARC), currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Representing the country is the Director of Partnership at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Soko M. Kai-Samba, who is also serving as Sierra Leone’s ARC Government Coordinator. His presence underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience through regional collaboration.
The conference, which commenced on April 8, 2026, has brought together African policymakers, development partners, and technical experts to explore strategies for enhancing climate resilience, disaster risk management, and insurance mechanisms across the continent.
Organised under the auspices of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, the forum is being held as a “Common African House,” providing a unified platform for Member States to address climate-induced disaster risks and foster coordinated responses.
Director Kai-Samba is playing a pivotal role in advancing discussions on partnerships and collaborative frameworks to strengthen Sierra Leone’s disaster risk reduction systems. His engagement highlights the NDMA’s focus on leveraging regional initiatives to improve national capacity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Kai-Samba emphasized the importance of innovative financial solutions, including risk pooling and insurance mechanisms, in mitigating the impact of extreme weather events and other hazards affecting vulnerable communities.
“This platform provides a unique opportunity for African countries to collectively design sustainable solutions to shared risks. Sierra Leone stands to benefit greatly from strengthened collaboration, enhanced early warning systems, and improved contingency planning,” he noted.
The Sierra Leone delegation is led by Senior Deputy Financial Secretary, Mrs. Mariatu Brown, representing the Minister of Finance. Other members include Mr. Joseph Albert Fatoma, ARC Government Deputy Coordinator and Assistant Director at the Ministry of Finance.
Established to support African governments in planning, preparing for, and responding to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks, the African Risk Capacity, through its affiliate ARC Ltd, provides risk pooling and transfer services. These mechanisms enable Member States to access timely financial support during crises.
The initiative also promotes inclusivity and gender equality, ensuring that disaster risk management efforts across the continent are both comprehensive and equitable.
