Says Sanna Dahaba
By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA), Mr. Sanna Dahaba, has highlighted that the NDMA deemed it necessary to review and update the National Disaster Management Policy and Strategy to better align it with the global framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) dubbed the Sendai Framework 2015-2030.
“As we all know, the first National Disaster Management Policy and Strategy was formulated way back in 2008 and has since served its purpose. However, due to the ever-changing and dynamic nature of disasters over time, the current policy and strategy have become obsolete,” Mr. Dahaba recently said in opening remarks at a day’s validation workshop on the National Disaster Management Policy and Strategy 2024-2032.
“This validation we are undertaking today is of particular importance to the National Disaster Management Agency as the national disaster management policy and strategy will serve as a blueprint for disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery from disastersin The Gambia,” he stated.
“It is therefore imperative that the document is fit for purpose and guides us to deliver coherent, effective, and efficient programme activities, while pursuing a development path that promotes environmental sustainability and strengthens the resilience of communities to external shocks, reducing vulnerability and exposure to natural and human-induced disasters,” he added.
According to Mr. Dahaba, the world cannot afford to not stand together in the face of growing globalchallenges, vulnerability, and shrinking budgets.
“NDMA is committed to building the resilience of our people against hazards to ensure the delivery of its strategic plan, providing relevant, timely, and high-quality support to disaster-affected families.
“Therefore, this policy and strategy must now be accompanied by changes in the way we conduct the business processes of our institutions. These changes hinge on all of us here,” he stressed.
He thanked the World Bank for its support in the recalibration of the national document.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the World Bank for providing the necessary resources to undertake the process of updating this national document. Without their support, it would have been challenging to update such a national document that will be up-to-date and align with the aims and aspirations of theGambian people,” he acknowledged.
“I would also like to thank the Office of the Vice President for providing the policy and strategic direction to the National Disaster Management Agency. Furthermore, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, as well as the WACA project implementation unit, for their excellent collaboration and partnership throughout the entire process of updating the policy and strategy,” he added.
The NDMA boss reiterated that “all our concerted efforts today in the areas of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction are aimed at guaranteeing the safety, dignity, and well-being of this generation and generations unborn”.
“This cannot be achieved without the support of our donors, partners, and stakeholders.Therefore, I must sincerely thank all of you for your continuous collaboration and partnership,” he underscored.