The newly appointed Country Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Satora Matsuyama, has paid a courtesy visit to the leadership of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) at its headquarters in Aberdeen, Freetown.
During the visit, NDMA Deputy Director General, Sulaiman Bockarie Sowa, welcomed the JICA delegation and expressed appreciation for the agency’s longstanding support to disaster management efforts in Sierra Leone.
NDMA Director General, John Vandy Rogers, congratulated Mr. Matsuyama on his appointment and highlighted the Agency’s ongoing work in disaster risk reduction and mitigation across the country.
He outlined several initiatives undertaken by the NDMA, including the annual Flood Mitigation Strategy aimed at identifying hazards in flood-prone communities and reducing disaster risks.
Mr. Rogers also commended JICA for supporting the capacity building of NDMA staff through training programmes in Japan.
He said the knowledge and skills acquired by staff members who attended the training programmes have helped strengthen the Agency’s operations and disaster preparedness efforts.
In his response, Mr. Matsuyama praised the NDMA for its efforts in protecting vulnerable communities and building national resilience.
He reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting the Agency through training opportunities, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing programmes.
The JICA Country Representative also pledged additional training opportunities for NDMA personnel this year to further strengthen the Agency’s operational and technical capacity.
Mr. Matsuyama disclosed that JICA will support the development of a comprehensive hazard profile and digital hazard mapping project for Freetown in 2026. He said the initiative will provide important data on disaster-prone areas and help improve disaster planning and mitigation measures.
The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in disaster risk reduction and preparedness in Sierra Leone.
