Two officials from Sierra Leone's National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) are participating in a four-day International Conference on Strengthening Search and Rescue Services in the African Region, held in Mombasa, Kenya, from November 3-6, 2026. The delegation, led by Director of Partnerships Soko Kai-Samba and Senior Disaster Officer Michael Lavahun, aims to share Sierra Leone's experiences and propose a roadmap to enhance search and rescue operations.
During the conference, Kai-Samba delivered presentations on Sierra Leone's search and rescue experience, institutional arrangements, and operational capabilities. He highlighted the country's transition from traditional community-led rescue efforts to a more coordinated institutional response, with the NDMA as the lead coordinating agency. The presentations also examined major emergencies that required search and rescue interventions, including flooding, the 2017 mudslide, fires, fuel tanker explosions, and building collapses.
The NDMA officials identified several gaps in Sierra Leone's search and rescue capacity, including inadequate specialized training, limited access to personal protective equipment, and insufficient simulation exercises. They also emphasized the need for sustainable funding and a national coordination framework. To address these challenges, the NDMA proposed a National Urban Search and Rescue Roadmap for 2027-2030, aiming to establish a more coordinated and sustainable national response system.
The conference, convened by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Secretariat, brings together disaster management institutions, rescue teams, technical experts, and development partners from across Africa. Discussions focus on national search and rescue policies, legal frameworks, operational preparedness, and personnel training. The meeting aims to produce practical recommendations and national strategies to guide future investments and institutional development.
Participating countries are expected to explore opportunities for regional cooperation, mutual assistance, and coordinated responses to major emergencies. The conference also provides a platform for countries to share best practices and lessons learned in search and rescue operations. Sierra Leone's participation in the conference demonstrates its commitment to strengthening its emergency response capacity and collaborating with regional partners.
The conference is scheduled to conclude on November 6, 2026, with the adoption of agreed conclusions and follow-up actions aimed at strengthening sustainable search and rescue services across Africa. The outcomes of the conference are expected to enhance regional cooperation and coordination in responding to major emergencies. Sierra Leone's NDMA will play a crucial role in implementing the agreed conclusions and follow-up actions.
The NDMA's participation in the conference is a significant step towards addressing the country's search and rescue gaps and strengthening its emergency response capacity. The agency's proposed roadmap and presentations have contributed to the conference's objectives, and its engagement with regional partners will facilitate the sharing of best practices and expertise.
Key points
- Sierra Leone's NDMA attends a regional conference in Kenya to address search and rescue gaps.
- The NDMA proposes a National Urban Search and Rescue Roadmap for 2027-2030 to strengthen emergency response capacity.
- The conference aims to produce practical recommendations and national strategies to guide future investments and institutional development.
