The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Sierra Leone has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, known as EMERCOM of Russia. This agreement was reached on the sidelines of the International Conference on Strengthening Search and Rescue Services in the African Region, which took place in Mombasa, Kenya, from November 3 to 6, 2026. The MoU was signed by Soko Kai-Samba, Director of Partnerships at NDMA, on behalf of the Director General, John Vandy Rogers.
The partnership between NDMA and EMERCOM of Russia aims to establish a framework for institutional collaboration, technical cooperation, capacity development, and knowledge sharing. The agreement covers several strategic areas, including Search and Rescue (SAR), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, firefighting, emergency medical response, water rescue, humanitarian assistance, technology transfer, and research. This comprehensive partnership is expected to significantly enhance the NDMA's operational capabilities.
As part of the cooperation, EMERCOM of Russia has pledged to provide the NDMA with a specialized drone weighing approximately 50 kilograms. The drone was delivered to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Kenya on November 10, 2026, for onward delivery to the NDMA in Freetown. This donation is expected to greatly enhance the Agency's ability to respond to disasters and emergencies effectively.
The agreement also provides opportunities for NDMA personnel and other relevant emergency management institutions to benefit from scholarships, fellowships, and specialized professional training. This will strengthen their emergency management capabilities, particularly in areas such as satellite technology, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and drone technology. These training opportunities will enable the NDMA to monitor emerging threats, assess disaster impacts, and provide timely information for effective emergency response.
The partnership will also focus on supporting efforts to strengthen the NDMA's emergency coordination mechanisms, incident management systems, and humanitarian response capabilities. This will enable the Agency to respond more effectively to disasters and emergencies, ultimately saving lives and protecting livelihoods and property across Sierra Leone.
According to the Director General of the NDMA, John Vandy Rogers, the partnership is a significant step towards building a more resilient and responsive disaster management system in Sierra Leone. He emphasized the NDMA's commitment to leveraging international expertise, technology, and specialized professional training to strengthen its institutional and operational capabilities.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in the NDMA's efforts to build a more equipped and operationally effective institution. The Agency's commitment to collaboration and partnership with international organizations like EMERCOM of Russia is expected to yield positive results in the area of disaster management in Sierra Leone.
Key points
- The NDMA has partnered with EMERCOM of Russia to enhance its operational capabilities in disaster response and management.
- The partnership includes the provision of a specialized drone and training opportunities for NDMA personnel.
- The agreement aims to strengthen the NDMA's emergency coordination mechanisms, incident management systems, and humanitarian response capabilities.
