By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS), in collaboration with key national and local stakeholders, has launched a two-day Flood Simulation Exercise in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County.
The event, which began yesterday under the theme “Strengthening Community Resilience through Early Warning and Coordinated Flood Response,” aims to assess and enhance disaster preparedness and response capacity in flood-prone areas.
The exercise is part of the broader Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) initiative, supported by Irish Aid and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SiDA) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The initiative seeks to protect lives, livelihoods, and essential assets by ensuring that vulnerable communities receive timely, accurate, and actionable hazard information.
At the opening of the two day flood stimulation exercise participants engaged in key discussions on: The EW4ALL Initiative and its introduction to Anticipatory Actions (AA), Gap analysis of Liberia’s early warning systems, Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders in Disaster Response and A step-by-step guide to the simulation exercise (SIMEX).
Speaking at the event, LNRCS Secretary-General, Gregory Blamoh, emphasized that disaster preparedness is vital to safeguarding lives and protecting communities.
“This flood simulation exercise is a proactive measure to ensure a coordinated and effective response to future flood emergencies,” Mr. Blamoh stated.
He noted that Liberia, particularly Grand Cape Mount County, faces significant flood-related challenges that often lead to displacement, infrastructure damage, and economic losses.
Strengthening early warning systems and community preparedness, he said, is crucial to mitigating these risks.
The simulation brought together various government agencies, humanitarian partners, and local organizations, including: The National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA), The Environmental Protection Agency, The County Health Team, and The Group of 77.
Others are: The Ministries of Agriculture and Gender, The Liberia National Police, The Robertsport City Corporation, The County Superintendent’s Office and Local media representatives and community leaders.
Their collective involvement underscores a national commitment to strengthening community resilience and improving flood response mechanisms.
“Disaster response is not the responsibility of one institution alone. A well-coordinated effort between national and local stakeholders ensures timely and effective interventions that protect vulnerable communities,” Mr. Blamoh added.
Addressing the gathering, the LNRCS Head of Program, Christopher O. Johnson, welcomed participants on behalf of the Secretary-General and the Red Cross leadership.
He stressed the urgent need to enhance Liberia’s preparedness for climate-related disasters, particularly in Robertsport, where seasonal flooding continues to threaten lives and infrastructure.
“Year after year, we have witnessed the disruption caused by these disasters—displacement, loss of property, food insecurity, and strained local resources,” Mr. Johnson noted.
“These recurring challenges highlight the importance of anticipatory action a proactive approach that emphasizes early warning, preparedness, and rapid response to minimize the impact of disasters before they escalate into humanitarian crises.”
He explained that the simulation exercise allows stakeholders to test, refine, and strengthen their response mechanisms by simulating real-life emergency scenarios.
This process helps to identify gaps, improve coordination, and enhance overall disaster preparedness.
Mr. Johnson concluded with a call to action:
“The lessons we learn today and tomorrow will not only prepare us for future floods but will also serve as a model for anticipatory action and disaster risk reduction across Liberia.”
As Liberia grapples with the increasing frequency of climate-induced disasters, the Flood Simulation Exercise serves as a significant step toward building a safer and more resilient nation.
With the official declaration of the workshop and simulation exercise open, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Liberia’s flood preparedness efforts.
As the exercise unfolds, it is expected to enhance coordination, improve early warning dissemination, and ultimately save lives in communities vulnerable to flooding.
