The Gambia: Lower River region disaster management committee sensitized on disaster risk reduction
By Salifu M Touray
The Regional Disaster Management Committee (RDMC) of Lower River Region (LRR) on Friday organised a day’s sensitisation forum on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), held at the Governor’s Office in Mansakonko.
This forum was attended by members of the Regional Disaster Management Committee (RDMC) to enlighten them on Disaster Risk Reduction as well as to brief them on the updated 2011 work plan of the Regional Disaster Management Committee of LRR.
In his opening remarks, Alhaji Lamin Waa Juwara, the governor of LRR, thanked The Gambia Government for creating the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). He noted that the Government has not only created the Agency but has also attached great importance to disaster management in the country. He commended the NDMA for coming up with the National Contingency Plan, adding that this contingency document is very vital and that it will serve as a policy guideline as well as enhances disaster risk reduction in the country.
According to him, the issue of disaster is a global phenomenon and can also strike at any given time. Juwara emphasised that the best formula to avert calamities of disaster is to get prepared first before it happens because when disaster comes it affects everybody no matter where one may find him or herself in the world.
He described the meeting as very important, noting that disaster is a cross-cutting issue and that it is everybody‘s business while encouraging members of the Regional Disaster Management Committee (RDMC) to keep up the momentum. He stated that what is essential here is to get prepared in case of any future occurrence. “We should all take preventive measures rather than waiting for disaster to occur before we take a step. Disaster management involves constant preparation at all times,” he said.
Lamin Saidy, the co-ordinator of the Regional Disaster Management Committee in LRR revealed that the forum is also meant to brief participants on update work plan of the regional disaster management committee in order to enable them have a better understanding on how the RDMC operates in LRR. He described the forum as very important noting that it is a mandate upon them by the NDMA policy to update RDMC members on their activities as well as exchange and share ideals in order to pave the way forward.
Saidy disclosed that the NDMA, through The Gambia Government will soon embark on development projects across the country, such as the construction of a culvert in LRR.