By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – October 1, 2025: In a significant diplomatic engagement, Her Excellency Rasha Soliman Mohieldin Soliman, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sierra Leone, paid a courtesy visit to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on Monday, September 29, 2025. The visit, held at NDMA’s headquarters in Aberdeen, Freetown, aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.
Ambassador Soliman was warmly received by NDMA’s Director General, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Brima Sesay, who praised her initiative to engage with the agency. He emphasized that international partnerships are crucial to enhancing Sierra Leone’s resilience against natural and man-made disasters.
During the visit, NDMA’s Deputy Director of Regional Operations, Gerald King, delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the agency’s core mandates—ranging from disaster prevention and preparedness to emergency response and post-disaster recovery. King also highlighted ongoing challenges, including limited resources, the growing impact of climate change, and the need for enhanced technical and financial support.
Sinneh Mansaray, Director of Relief and Response, provided further insights into the types of disasters that frequently affect Sierra Leone. These include seasonal flooding, fire outbreaks, windstorms, landslides, and health emergencies, which disproportionately affect vulnerable communities across the country.
In response, Ambassador Soliman expressed Egypt’s willingness to explore avenues of support, particularly in capacity building, early warning systems, and emergency response. She assured the NDMA of her commitment to maintaining close contact and following up on potential areas of collaboration.
The visit concluded with remarks from NDMA’s Gender Focal Person, Mrs. Erica Konneh, who extended heartfelt thanks to the Ambassador. She reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to fostering stronger ties with Egypt in advancing disaster management initiatives.