AYV News, April 23, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), John VandyRogers, is playing a leading role at the 17th Meeting of the Regional Committee of Heads of Disaster Management in West Africa (GECEAO), currently underway in Abidjan.
Rogers was unanimously selected to chair and moderate the three-day consultation, which began on April 21 and will conclude on April 23, 2026. The high-level meeting comes at a critical time, as seasonal forecasts predict above-average rainfall across parts of West Africa, heightening concerns over flooding, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and potential damage to key infrastructure.
Opening the session, Rogers underscored the urgency of turning early warning signals into tangible action on the ground.
“Our role here is not ceremonial; it is about guiding critical conversations that will shape how we protect our people in the months ahead,” he said. “Forecasts must lead to action. If warnings do not translate into preparedness, then we are failing our communities.”
Throughout the consultation, Rogers is steering discussions involving heads of national disaster management agencies, meteorological bodies, and international partners. The focus, he noted, is to ensure inclusive participation while driving practical, results-oriented outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared risks. According to him, disasters such as floods, health emergencies, and food insecurity are interconnected challenges that require coordinated responses across borders.
“The challenges we face are interconnected, and no single country can address them alone. What we agree here must strengthen coordination and deliver faster, more effective responses across the region,” Rogers stated.
The meeting is also reviewing progress since the last GECEAO consultation, examining seasonal forecasts, and identifying ways to bridge the persistent gap between early warning systems and early response—an issue experts say continues to weaken disaster preparedness in the region.
Participants from across ECOWAS Member States, alongside humanitarian and development partners, are working toward concrete recommendations aimed at strengthening coordination frameworks, enhancing data sharing, and boosting resilience.
As deliberations continue, expectations remain high that the Abidjan meeting will deliver actionable strategies to improve preparedness and better protect vulnerable communities ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
