For Immediate Release
IHO, LiMA Partner with NDMA; Pays Technical Assessment Visit to Assess and Strengthen Liberia’s Current Hydrographic Status
(Monrovia, Liberia; January 15, 2026): The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), along with the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), paid the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) a technical assessment visit, as part of a strategic partnership aimed at assessing and strengthening Liberia’s hydrographic status, collection, analysis, and the use of hydrological data across Liberia.
This visit seeks to improve national capacity for monitoring rivers, coastal waters, rainfall patterns, sea levels, and other critical hydrographic indicators that are essential for disaster risk reduction, maritime safety, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Through coordinated data collection and information sharing, IHO, LiMA and NDMA will enhance early warning systems for floods, storm surges, and other water-related hazards affecting coastal and riverine communities.
Speaking during the visit, the IHO’s Director Dr. John Nyberg, emphasized that accurate and timely hydrographic data is vital for ensuring safe navigation, protecting marine infrastructure, and supporting evidence-based maritime policies. This initiative reflects commitment to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and Liberia’s marine environment through science-driven decision-making. He also highlighted that the visit intends to review the 2016 IHO’s technical assessment, identify gaps and assess the current status of hydrographic services within Liberia’s waters; and also, to identify priority areas for technical assistance and institutional strengthening.
The Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency, Hon. Atty. Ansu V. S. Dulleh Sr. highlighted that the partnership aligns with NDMA’s mandate to reduce disaster risks and strengthen national preparedness. By working with the Liberia Maritime Authority and the International Hydrographic Organization, the NDMA is reinforcing its ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hydrographic hazards, particularly in the context of climate change and increasing extreme weather events.
Under the partnership framework, both institutions will collaborate on joint field assessments, deployment of hydrographic monitoring equipment, capacity-building for technical staff, and the integration of collected data into national disaster risk management and maritime planning systems. The initiative will also support collaboration with other relevant government ministries, local authorities, and development partners.
The NDMA reaffirms its shared commitment to building a safer, more resilient Liberia through strengthened institutional cooperation, improved data systems, and proactive risk management.