By Precious D. Freeman
A two-day Flood Simulation Exercise was successfully conducted in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, bringing together key stakeholders to assess the region’s flood preparedness and response capacity.
The exercise vividly illustrated the destructive impact of floods, which have repeatedly devastated the area over the past two years destroying homes, livelihoods, and displacing families.
It also showcased the ability of local authorities and partners to coordinate swift and effective relief efforts for affected communities.
Participants included the Robertsport City Corporation, local authorities, the County Health Team (CHT), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and community members, including people with special needs.
Their involvement highlighted the importance of an inclusive and coordinated approach to disaster response.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS), Christopher O. Johnson, Head of Programs, expressed gratitude to all partners and facilitators who traveled from Geneva, Cambodia, and across Africa to support the exercise.
He also acknowledged the absence of the Secretary-General, Gregory Blamoh, who had to return to Monrovia for an urgent meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but remained committed to the initiative.
Johnson emphasized the need for continuity in disaster preparedness efforts, stating, “One key message I want us to take back is we must maintain those who understand the project and its objectives to ensure consistency and effectiveness in implementation.”
The Flood Simulation Exercise is part of the broader Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) initiative, which aims to protect lives, livelihoods, and essential assets by ensuring vulnerable communities receive timely and actionable hazard information.
The initiative is supported by Irish Aid, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SiDA), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
With Robertsport’s history of severe flooding, this proactive measure reinforces disaster resilience and strengthens emergency response mechanisms.
The LNRCS and its partners remain committed to building safer, more prepared communities through early warning systems and coordinated disaster response strategies.