By Fatou Bojang
In partnership with key international organizations, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of The Gambia launched a two-day consultative workshop on the Early Warning for All (EW 4ALL) initiative at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.
The event aims to strengthen early warning systems and improve disaster resilience in the face of escalating climate change threats.
In attendance were prominent stakeholders, including the Minister for Fisheries and Water Resources and representatives from the Gambia Red Cross Society. They highlighted the collaborative effort to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
Vice President Hon. Muhammed B.S. Jallow, who also chairs the National Disaster Governing Council, underscored the event’s significance as a significant step forward in enhancing the nation’s climate resilience and disaster risk reduction strategies.
Jallow remarked on the increasing vulnerability of Gambian communities to climate-induced phenomena such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, flooding, coastal erosion, and prolonged droughts.
He stressed the urgent need for robust early warning systems, emphasizing that the United Nations EW 4ALL initiative aims to ensure that effective warning systems will be accessible to everyone globally by 2027.
Sanna A. Dahaba, Executive Director of NDMA, elaborated on the initiative’s focus on inclusivity, preparedness, technology, and collaboration. He highlighted the commitment to providing timely and precise early warning information to vulnerable populations to mitigate disaster-related losses, including economic impacts on the national GDP. The workshop also aims to foster strong partnerships among government entities, the private sector, and local communities to build a resilient society.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Karl Frederick Paul emphasized the importance of a cohesive, people-centered approach in developing a roadmap that enhances ongoing disaster risk management efforts in The Gambia.
As discussions continue over the next two days, stakeholders are expected to outline strategies for implementing the EW 4ALL initiative, reinforcing the country’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens against the growing threat of climate-related disasters.
