-On Disaster Management and Response
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) has successfully concluded a two-day intensive capacity development training for stakeholders, seeking to enhance stakeholders’ ability to prepare and respond to disaster and its management.
The training held under the theme: “Early Warning for All” is a National-Level Training on disaster preparedness and response in Monrovia, Montserrado County.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of emergency responders, government officials, disaster managers, and media personnel to enhance Liberia’s disaster management efforts.
Speaking at the opening and closing sessions of the training, Christopher O. Johnson, Head of Programs at LNRCS, who represented Secretary-General Gregory T. Blamoh, expressed gratitude to participants for their engagement and contributions.
“This training is critical because disaster management in Liberia is everyone’s responsibility. The knowledge gained here will only be valuable if applied in the various sectors represented—government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and the media,” Johnson emphasized.
He further urged stakeholders involved in the Early Warning for All initiative to remain committed to strengthening Liberia’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
Participants were trained in disaster preparedness management, risk assessment, early warning mechanisms, psychosocial support, community engagement, rehabilitation, and resilience-building.
Delivering remarks, Augustine Kollie, Director for Emergency Response and Recovery at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), underscored the importance of collaboration among key institutions in achieving effective early warning and disaster response.
“Coordination is key in disaster preparedness and response. Agencies such as the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, the Liberia National Red Cross Society, and the National Disaster Management Agency must work together to ensure a comprehensive and effective disaster management strategy,” Kollie stated.
He lauded the LNRCS for organizing the training, which he described as “a vital initiative that strengthens coordination and deepens understanding of disaster management components.” The training aligns with the global “Early Warning for All” initiative, which seeks to ensure that every community has access to life-saving early warning systems by 2027.
The LNRCS says it remains committed to enhancing disaster response efforts in Liberia by equipping key stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to mitigate risks and respond effectively to emergencies.
