A senior delegation from the World Bank has successfully wrapped up a week-long mission in Sierra Leone, which took place from June 16 to June 20, 2025. The visit, organized through the World Bank Country Office in Freetown, aimed to evaluate the progress of ongoing projects and monitor key policy indicators essential for the country’s access to budgetary support under the Bank’s Development Policy Operations (DPO).
During their stay, the World Bank team engaged in extensive discussions with various government departments and agencies, notably the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). The NDMA has made commendable progress by successfully meeting its result indicators for the year 2024. Among the achievements highlighted were the development of three critical national documents: the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the National Disaster Risk Management Policy, and the National Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Plan. These documents play a vital role in enhancing Sierra Leone’s disaster management framework, which is essential for safeguarding lives and properties in the face of natural disasters.
Looking ahead to 2025, the World Bank mission also reviewed the progress on newly assigned result indicators. The NDMA has been tasked with two significant deliverables: the development and approval of District Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans and the establishment of a District Early Warning System (DEWS). In a collaborative effort with the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency and the National Water Resources Management Authority, the three institutions have made remarkable advancements in developing the DEWS. They have conducted multiple joint technical meetings and formulated a robust implementation plan, which is already underway.
The World Bank team emphasized that the successful completion and subsequent Cabinet approval of these two result indicators will not only bolster national resilience but will also qualify Sierra Leone for emergency funds under the Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO). This special funding mechanism is designed to provide immediate support to countries facing disaster events, ensuring that they can respond effectively in times of crisis.
In addition to policy discussions, the World Bank delegation conducted a field visit to Hastings, where a modern Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and NDMA headquarters are proposed to be constructed. This project is set to be funded under the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP). Detailed technical discussions were held with the senior management of the NDMA to ensure that the design of the new headquarters and the operational procedures of the EOC align with global best practices and meet international standards.
The mission culminated in a high-level debriefing at the office of Sierra Leone’s Financial Secretary, Mathew Dingie, located on George Street in Freetown. During this meeting, Francis Samson Nkoka, the World Bank Technical Team Lead, expressed his satisfaction with the commitment demonstrated by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). “We are pleased with the level of coordination and commitment exhibited across institutions. If this momentum continues, Sierra Leone is likely to meet most of its implementation milestones ahead of schedule,” he stated.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, the Director General of the NDMA, welcomed the positive feedback and reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to building resilience in the country. “This mission has been both encouraging and instructive. At NDMA, we recognize the urgency of disaster preparedness, and we remain committed to transforming our systems in ways that will protect lives and properties,” he emphasized.
Financial Secretary Mathew Dingie praised the collaboration between the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank, highlighting the crucial role that the World Bank’s support plays in national development. “I am very pleased with the cooperation among all the MDAs involved. The collaboration between MDAs and the World Bank is yielding tangible outcomes, and we are confident that with continued focus, Sierra Leone will exceed expectations in delivering on all the result indicators. I encourage all of you, especially the heads of MDAs, to remain committed to the development of the result indicators within the required timeframe,” he remarked.
