February 2, 2026: Sierra Leone’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has reinforced its commitment to equity and resilience by completing a groundbreaking nationwide engagement on gender and social inclusion.
Led by the Agency’s Gender and Social Inclusion Coordinator, Mrs. Erica A. B. Konneh, the regional tour (January 19–26, 2026) spanned all four NDMA regional offices—North-West, Northern, Eastern, and Southern—bringing staff together to embed gender-sensitive practices into every stage of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
The initiative marks a decisive shift in how disaster management is approached in Sierra Leone. Rather than treating gender and inclusion as peripheral concerns, NDMA is positioning them as core operational principles.
“Gender and social inclusion are fundamentally human rights issues,” Mrs. Konneh emphasized. “Our goal is to ensure that disaster response at NDMA leaves no one behind—whether women, men, children, older persons, or persons living with disabilities.”
Her message resonated across regions, where staff actively participated in interactive sessions designed to transform them into inclusion ambassadors within their communities.
The engagement combined structured presentations with open discussions, enabling staff to share experiences and propose solutions. A post-session questionnaire achieved a 92.3% response rate, underscoring the enthusiasm and commitment of regional teams.
Key takeaways included:
- Recognition that gender mainstreaming extends beyond women and children to encompass men and other vulnerable groups.
- Understanding that inclusive disaster management requires skills in communication, coordination, ethical data collection, and risk communication.
- A shift in mindset: gender inclusion is not a “unit” but a cross-cutting principle across the disaster cycle.
NDMA’s Director General, Mr. John Vandy Rogers, hailed the initiative as a strategic investment in institutional effectiveness.
“Inclusive disaster management is not optional—it is essential,” he stated. “When gender and social inclusion are properly mainstreamed, our interventions become more effective, more accountable, and more responsive to the real needs of affected communities.”
He assured that management will carefully review the findings and recommendations, noting their relevance across the Agency’s integrated operational structure.
Building Confidence and Capacity
Reflecting on the tour, Mrs. Konneh described it as both professionally enriching and institutionally valuable.
“This visit strengthened my confidence, built stronger relationships with colleagues, and gave me firsthand insight into the realities of gender work in the regions,” she said. “With the right tools, training, and support, regional staff can significantly enhance NDMA’s impact at community level.”
Her remarks highlight the broader vision: resilient communities built on inclusive, coordinated, and evidence-based disaster risk management.
By approving and supporting the regional engagement, NDMA’s leadership has sent a clear signal of its dedication to equity and people-centered disaster management. The initiative not only strengthens internal capacity but also positions Sierra Leone as a regional leader in inclusive disaster risk reduction.