By: Saidu Jalloh
The Director of Communications of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Mohamed L. Bah, was on a four-day capacity training workshop focused on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems and financial reporting procedures to strengthen ECOWAS-led humanitarian interventions in member states.
The training, which began on Tuesday, November 5, and concludes on Friday, November 8, 2024, aims to equip focal points with essential skills to effectively manage M&E systems, ultimately enhancing the impact and accountability of humanitarian efforts across the region.
This workshop aligns with ECOWAS’s commitment to improving the coordination, efficiency, and transparency of humanitarian interventions throughout West Africa. This initiative allows member states to centralize, access, and standardize data, facilitating more effective resource management and evidence-based decision-making in their humanitarian activities.
In her welcome remarks, the Director of Humanitarian Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, commended the commitment of participants from member states and acknowledged their efforts in implementing the 2021/22 flood recovery assistance program for affected victims.
She emphasized that the workshop’s objective is to provide focal points from member states with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in operating and sustaining an ECOWAS-specific M&E system for humanitarian interventions.
“ECOWAS remains committed to empowering member states with the tools and knowledge necessary to improve response efforts, enhance accountability, and foster a more coordinated regional response to crises,” Dr. Ogbeh stated.
Throughout the workshop, participants are expected to receive comprehensive training on the ECOWAS M&E platform. This training promotes the integration of the M&E system within existing national frameworks, facilitating seamless reporting, enhanced coordination, and data-driven decision-making to improve the transparency and effectiveness of humanitarian responses.
Additionally, ECOWAS has established a support system for ongoing technical assistance. The Commission will conduct regular check-ins, provide access to a technical helpdesk, and monitor member states’ progress in adopting the M&E platform through progress assessments.
The training also includes interactive sessions and knowledge-sharing exercises to foster a collaborative learning environment and ensure participants gain hands-on experience with the M&E system. ECOWAS will distribute user manuals and technical documentation to support continued utilization.
Additionally, the workshop will review project proposals submitted for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to enhance humanitarian interventions across member states.
Mr. Bah’s participation highlights Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening disaster response capabilities through strategic regional partnerships. His involvement will enable the NDMA to integrate these best practices within the country’s humanitarian framework, supporting more efficient and impactful disaster management.
