By Grace Q. Bryant
The Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Ansu Dulleh, has revealed that upon assuming the position, he encountered a deeply toxic system within the agency.
During a press conference held at the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism on August 8, Director Dulleh disclosed that the working environment was harmful and that many individuals within the agency had developed a corrupt mindset.
“We are in the process of cleaning up the system to realign it with the President’s reform agenda,” Dulleh stated.
He emphasized that while change is often difficult to accept, it is inevitable. “Every good leader faces challenges when bringing about change,” he added, signaling a determined effort to reform the agency.
In another development, The NDMA’s Executive Director painted a grim picture of the current situation, attributing the worsening weather patterns to climate change.
“As many of you are aware, weather patterns have become increasingly volatile due to climate change, and our recent predictions on June 28, 2024, warned of an imminent increase in flooding events,” Dulleh said.
According to him, the flooding has wreaked havoc across the region, with numerous homes and infrastructures submerged and many residents displaced.
Director Dulleh expressed deep empathy for the affected communities, acknowledging the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of the disaster and he assured that the NDMA’s commitment to supporting those impacted is unwavering.
He disclosed that the NDMA, in collaboration with the Liberian Red Cross and other partners, has swiftly mobilized resources to initiate search and rescue operations.
“Our dedicated teams are on the ground working tirelessly to locate and assist those in distress, ensuring that no one is left behind,”Dulleh said.
He revealed that NDMA has activated several specialized clusters, including Communication and Coordination, Health and Safety, Search and Rescue, Shelter, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).
These clusters, comprising skilled professionals and volunteers, are working together to deliver essential services and aid to the most vulnerable.
Director Dulleh highlighted significant strides made by the NDMA in reorganizing the coordination mechanism for disaster response.
Dulleh also announced that, through collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), a joint UN flood response working group has been established.
WFP will provide emergency food assistance through cash via mobile money to 5,200 households, or 26,000 individuals, displaced by the floods in Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties. “WFP has mobilized USD 1.5 million for this purpose,” Dulleh stated.
Director Dulleh emphasized the importance of building community resilience in the face of climate change-induced disasters. “This incident serves as a wake-up call for all of us to take action, whether through.
