The Director of Partnership at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Soko M. Kai-Samba, is representing Sierra Leone at the 16th Conference of Parties (CoP16) of the African Risk Capacity, currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The high-level continental forum, which commenced on April 8, 2026, has brought together African policymakers, development partners, and technical experts to deliberate on strengthening climate resilience, disaster risk management, and insurance mechanisms across the continent.
Organised under the auspices of the Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission, the conference is being held as a “Common African House,” providing a platform for Member States to collectively address climate-induced disaster risks and enhance coordinated responses.
Director Kai-Samba, who also serves as Sierra Leone’s ARC Government Coordinator, is playing a central role in advancing discussions on partnerships and collaborative frameworks that will support the country’s disaster preparedness and resilience-building efforts. His participation highlights the NDMA’s commitment to leveraging regional platforms to strengthen national systems for disaster risk reduction.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, Director Kai-Samba highlighted the importance of innovative financial solutions, including risk pooling and insurance mechanisms, in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events and other hazards affecting vulnerable communities across Africa.
“This platform provides a unique opportunity for African countries to collectively design sustainable solutions to shared risks. Sierra Leone stands to benefit greatly from strengthened collaboration, enhanced early warning systems, and improved contingency planning,” he noted.
The Sierra Leone delegation is headed by the Senior Deputy Financial Secretary, Mrs. Mariatu Brown, representing the Minister of Finance. Other members include Mr. Joseph Albert Fatoma, ARC Government Deputy Coordinator and Assistant Director at the Ministry of Finance.
The African Risk Capacity was established to support African governments in improving their capacity to plan, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters, including droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks. Through its affiliated entity, ARC Ltd, the institution provides risk pooling and risk transfer services that enable Member States to access timely financial support in times of crisis.
These mechanisms offer countries access to advanced early warning systems, contingency planning tools, and financial protection against climate shocks. The initiative also promotes gender equality and inclusivity, ensuring that disaster risk management efforts leave no one behind.
Credit – Directorate of Communications
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 13th April 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
