AYV News, October 2, 2025
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has hosted Her Excellency Rasha Soliman Mohieldin Soliman, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sierra Leone, in a courtesy visit aimed at familiarising herself with the agency’s work and exploring possible partnerships to strengthen disaster management in the country.
The NDMA Director General, Lit. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay welcomed Ambassador Soliman and her delegation. In his remarks, he commended the Ambassador’s initiative to familiarise herself with the work of the agency, emphasising that partnerships and international collaboration are pivotal to building Sierra Leone’s resilience to disasters.
NDMA’s Deputy Director of Regional Operations, Gerald King, gave a detailed presentation on the agency’s operations. He highlighted NDMA’s core mandates, ranging from disaster prevention and preparedness to emergency response and post-disaster recovery. Mr. King also pointed to persistent challenges the agency faces, such as limited resources, the growing effects of climate change, and the urgent need for stronger technical and financial support.
Director of Relief and Response at the NDMA, Sinneh Mansaray, also shared insights on the diverse types of disasters Sierra Leone faces annually. These include seasonal floods, fire outbreaks, windstorms, landslides, and health-related emergencies, all of which he said disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.
In response, Ambassador Soliman committed to seeking opportunities to support the agency, particularly in the areas of capacity building, early warning systems, and emergency response. She assured the NDMA that she would maintain close contact with the agency to follow up on these areas of potential collaboration.
In closing, NDMA’s Gender Focal Person, Mrs. Erica Konneh, thanked the Ambassador on behalf of the agency. She expressed profound gratitude to her for her engagement and reaffirmed NDMA’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Egypt in advancing disaster preparedness and response initiatives.
