New National Disaster Management Policy Approved

The National Assembly recently discussed and approved the Seychelles National Disaster Management Policy: Building the Resilience of Country and Communities to Disaster. The policy following approval by the Cabinet of Ministers was presented to the National Assembly by Minister Morgan on the 23rd of November 2010.


Increasing development and the trends of global climate change coupled with the constraints and vulnerabilities inherent in being an isolated small island archipelago dictate that the building of resilience to disaster at community, district and national level in Seychelles is an increasingly important component of the national pursuit of sustainable development.

The Government of Seychelles, with the assistance of the World Bank, has therefore developed this national policy to meet the national Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) scenario in line with the United Nations framework as set out in the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).

The policy sets out a Mission and five primary objectives

Mission Statement

“To establish and continually review and improve capacities, mechanisms and procedures to enable the optimal reduction of disaster risk and vulnerability in the context of the people of Seychelles, their security, health and socio-economic well being”.

Objectives

1). Provide a strong institutional basis for the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction at local and national levels.
2). Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning.
3). Develop a culture of safety and resilience at all levels through the targeted and effective dissemination of information.
4). Reduce underlying risk factors.
5). Enable effective response capacities by strengthening disaster preparedness at all levels.



This policy is intended to provide the parameters for the subsequent development of detailed action plans, procedures and protocols to address DRR needs in the various sectors and scenarios present in Seychelles. The Policy is to be reviewed as circumstances may require but regardless not less than every 5 years.