Monrovia- May 19, 2022: The Government of Liberia through the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Government of Japan has launched the building resilience to flooding and coastal erosion project in Liberia with a caution that approximately 2% of Liberians are living in extreme low lying areas.

The NDMA Executive Director, Henry O. Williams made the revelation on May 18, 2022 at the official launch of the project at the Monrovia City Hall in Monrovia.

Honorable Williams said there is urgent need to tackle disaster in the country and there is a need for full capacitation of the NDMA.

Executive Director Williams stressed that with climate change affecting the world from every angle, including every county in Liberia, the need to fully support the NDMA to meet up with these challenges can not be overemphasized.

However, he praised national government efforts in maintaining and strengthening the NDMA through budgetary allocation.

Hon. Williams also praised government for initiating sustain collaboration with the government of Japan in securing the project in finding lasting and durable solution to coastal erosion and flooding in Liberia.

“ This project has made disaster management easier to fight in Liberia,” Hon. Williams stressed.

He said with the project, the NDMA can boost of effective mobility, adding that the agency will be punctual in mitigating disaster risks in the country.

Executive Director Williams used the occasion to thank the Japanese Government in particularly, while extending appreciation to other partners that will work with the NDMA in the implementation of the project.

Meanwhile, the First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, madam Yuriyal Teragaki said the project is part of Japan’s plan to fight natural disaster around the world.

First Secretary Teragaki said the project is expected to benefit approximately 1.6 million people from 226 communities affected by flooding and over 100 communities affected by erosion.

She said Japan is pleased to work with the NDMA in the implementation of the project through UNOPS and to enhance the performance of the NDMA.

Madam Teragaki promised Japan continued support to the NDMA aimed at ameliorating disaster challenges in the country.

First Secretary Teragaki thanked the governed of Liberia and expressed her country deepest condolences to the government and people of Liberia for the death of six persons during a floodin incident in Sinkor, Monrovia over a year ago

According to the project document, the sustainability management plan is aligned with UNOPS guiding principles of partnership and national ownership while UNOPS’ approach is to support the government of Liberia through the NDMA for strategic disaster management preparedness and response plan.

Courtesy of O’Neill A. R. Philips