NDMA Unveils Sea Level Impact Report on Plantain Island
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in partnership with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC), has unveiled a report titled “Impacts of Displacement Linked to Sea Level Rise on Plantain Island in Sierra Leone.” Funded by the European Union and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the report examines the severe effects of coastal erosion on livelihoods, housing, education, health, and security in the community.
NDMA Director General Brima Sesay emphasized the urgency of tackling climate-induced displacement. “Sea level rise is a humanitarian crisis. This report highlights the need for collective action to protect vulnerable coastal communities,” he stated.
Chiara Valenti, IDMC Research Associate, stressed the value of data in shaping effective policies, linking environmental degradation to displacement, and supporting resilience-building efforts.
Key representatives from NaCSA, EPA, and the Sierra Leone Red Cross called for immediate investments in adaptation strategies and long-term solutions for affected areas. Local leaders Chief Gbassay Kargbo and Alex H. Kamara shared harrowing accounts of the crisis, urging swift action to safeguard their future.
Guest speaker Dr. Patrick Kormawa highlighted the broader implications of the findings, urging NDMA to craft policies that protect Plantain Island, a vital national heritage.
The report outlines how rising sea levels have eroded coastlines, destroyed homes, disrupted education, and worsened public health risks. It provides actionable recommendations, including disaster preparedness, policy integration, and targeted support for vulnerable communities.
This report serves as a call to action for stakeholders to address the urgent crisis facing Sierra Leone’s coastal regions.
