The Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), has successfully conducted a community engagement session in the Hastings community to introduce and gather feedback on the proposed project intervention for the construction of an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).
The meeting, held in June 2025, brought together residents, traditional leaders, youth and women’s groups, civil society representatives, and officials from the NDMA and RUSLP PMU. The engagement aimed to secure community buy-in and ensure local participation in the planning and eventual implementation of critical national infrastructure.
The proposed EOC in Hastings will serve as a central command hub for effective coordination and response to disasters nationwide. Once completed, it will enhance the NDMA’s capacity to monitor hazards, manage emergency logistics, and facilitate the rapid deployment of resources during crises.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of NDMA, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Brima Sesay (GCOR) explained that the purpose of the meeting was to formally inform the community about the construction of the EOC and office space, as well as to emphasise that they own the project and should be involved at every stage of its development. He stated that such a development would not occur in their community without their buy-in and ownership. The DG assured the public that the EOC would be developed in full compliance with national regulations and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards, ensuring minimal disruption to the local environment and livelihoods.
During the session, the RUSLP Project Management Unit presented the project objectives, addressed issues related to social safeguards, and outlined the anticipated benefits for both the Hastings community and the broader national disaster management framework.
Community members welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and enhance national safety and preparedness. They also expressed concerns regarding environmental impacts and the necessity for ongoing communication throughout the project lifecycle.
The community leadership pledged their support and expressed optimism that the EOC would not only enhance Sierra Leone’s disaster response capability but also provide long-term development benefits to the community.
This community engagement represents a crucial advancement in the RUSLP’s support for institutions and in safeguarding the resilience of urban and peri-urban communities against increasing climate and disaster risks.
