By: James Conteh
In a strategic move to enhance community-level disaster preparedness and response, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has successfully established and trained Chiefdom Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs) across 16 chiefdoms in Kono and Tonkolili Districts.
The initiative, grounded in Part V of the NDMA Act of 2020, mandates the formation of disaster management structures at all administrative levels. The CDMCs are envisioned as frontline responders—equipped to implement localized disaster risk reduction strategies and coordinate rapid response during emergencies.
Each CDMC is chaired by the Paramount Chief of the chiefdom and supported by an NDMA Chiefdom Coordinator who serves as Secretary. Membership includes a diverse cross-section of society – representatives from the Sierra Leone Police, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Office of National Security, Red Cross, District Councils, civil society, youth and women’s groups, teachers, market women, and okada riders, among others.
The training sessions, held in Koidu (Kono) and Magburaka (Tonkolili), focused on critical components such as risk assessment, hazard profiling, early warning systems, contingency planning, and risk communication. The initiative also attracted strong community participation, with traditional leaders voicing support and urging for continuity.
“Risk knowledge empowers communities to implement tailored mitigation strategies,” said Engineer Francis Maada Salia, NDMA’s Director of Risk Reduction and Preparedness, stressing the importance of local input in shaping effective disaster responses.
Kai Banyaa, NDMA’s Chief of Operations, commended UNDP’s support and noted that the selected chiefdoms were chosen based on detailed vulnerability and readiness assessments. “This is part of our broader goal to ensure all communities are woven into the national disaster response framework,” he added.
In Kono District, the participating chiefdoms included: Fiama, Gbane, Gbense, Kamara, Lei, Nimikoro, Nimiyama, and Tankoro. In Tonkolili District, they were: Tans, Dansogoia, Kholifa, Kunike Fulawasu, Yele, Yoni Mamaili, Malal, and Kalanthuba.
Paramount Chief Bai Kafari Sumbali II of Kunike Fulawasu emphasized the environmental challenges exacerbating disaster risks. “We must urgently address deforestation, illegal mining, and bush burning,” he warned. Similarly, Paramount Chief Paul Gaba Saquee V of Tankoro appealed for sustained technical support to ensure the operational effectiveness of the CDMCs.
The creation and empowerment of CDMCs mark a pivotal step in Sierra Leone’s national disaster risk management strategy – positioning local actors at the heart of prevention, preparedness, and response.
As climate-related and man-made hazards continue to threaten vulnerable communities, initiatives like these signal a shift toward community resilience, local empowerment, and proactive governance.
