Making Seychelles safer and more disaster resilient - Investment in early warning and early action is key.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an annual opportunity to take stock of the progress being made worldwide toward preventing and reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, economies and basic infrastructure in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
This year’s edition of this important day takes place during the Mid-term Review of the Sendai Framework. Seychelles, through the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) is participating in the process and will be submitting the validated report very soon after much consultation with stakeholders from various sectors.
“Early warning and early action” is the theme that has been chosen by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for 2022.
To be effective, early warning systems must cover multiple hazards, including cyclones, storms, floods and tsunamis, but also to warn against, wildfires, droughts, disease outbreaks, technological accidents, pest infestations and other hazards.
The recent Providence Landfill Fire has highlighted once again the necessity to have early warning measures in place that will inform early action and avoid escalation of not just hydro-meteorological hazards, which are more common in Seychelles, but also technological hazards, such as industrial fires.
The high cost of required resources borne by tax payers, loss of private revenue caused by business closures, reduced face-to-face learning time for students and the health consequences through respiratory issues, during the few days of the fire, are evidence enough that early action is crucial.
According to the UNDRR, early warning by just 24 hours can cut the ensuing damage by 30 per cent. This encouraging valuation is in stark contrast to the very real figure of a third of the world’s people, mainly in the least developed countries and small island developing states, are still not covered by early warning systems. It is for this reason that the UNDRR is calling on the enhancement of international support to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to build and expand their early warning systems.
They estimate that investing US$ 800 million in early warning systems in developing countries would avoid losses of $3-16 billion per year. The UNDRR affirms that at-risk communities must be made aware of the true risks they face, how their early warning system functions, and be ready to act on its warnings.
Seychelles makes investments in early warning mainly though the national budget. However, funding is also sourced from other international partners such as the World Bank, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the United Nations Development Programme and others. The country has benefitted from funding by our international partners in the past, and the government is working to develop expand such partnerships.
Using words inspired by a statement made recently by the President of the Republic, we can no longer afford to keep believing that we are a blessed nation and that we will remain untouched by major disasters. The efforts being made to make Seychelles a safer, more disaster resilient country, needs to be supported by all.
As Government, we will continue maximizing our efforts on prevention and preparedness. I take this opportunity to thank those in the private sector who have preparedness measures in place, and urge those yet to address this issue to do so.
I wish to thank all the Emergency Response Agencies, the National Disaster Risk Management Committee, the Vulnerability Assessment Committee and all the hard-working men and women who have dedicated their careers to Disaster Risk Reduction, and I wish each of you a wonderful day.
Police Day is a moment of reflection, not only spiritual but a reflection of you, as an individual, in assessing yourself as a Police Constable, irrespective of the rank you hold. The reflection that each of you needs to make is your own personal reflection, in assessing yourself. A constable has sharp eyes, ears and mind, accurate eye for detail. These traits remain with you throughout your career. This includes looking after your physical fitness and health as well as your demeanour. This matters in you moving forward. It is also a moment to understand and appreciate the important tasks you do every day.
I recognise the challenges you face today. Such as the fight against drugs, and it will be a long fight. But we also need to be conscious of the welfare of the victims of drugs, as law enforcement does not only enforce the law but also looks at the social aspect of the community. For instance, the Commissioner of Prisons works hard to rehabilitate the victims back into society. The Departments for families and Social Affairs are also Stakeholders in this noble effort. This illustrates a bigger picture of what law enforcement is about.
Crime is a fluid threat. Today we face more complicated crimes, in terms of Cyber –crimes, financial crimes, amongst fast communications, transfer of money through bit coins, and it is going to get worse as technology moves on. But, despite all those technologies, and other skills required, we still need the ‘constable’ in each and every one of you.
We need to look at communities and we need to re-inforce and engage with them. The community needs to trust you and see you working to help them. They need to see you as someone who can help, understand and solve their problems. They want you to reach their home fast, but getting there fast is one thing. You have to complete the work after you get there, as this is the way to earn their trust.
Everything you do requires co-ordination. A prime example is the Queens funeral service. The magnitude of the co-ordination is admirable and sets an example on how co-ordination results in success. We can apply the same principles even if we are dealing on a smaller scale.
Police Officers face difficult challenges every day. Your jobs can be dangerous, frustrating, even tedious at times, but regardless, law enforcement is a very rewarding career. As Police Officers, you have the opportunity to significantly improve the quality of life for the citizens of your community by keeping peace despite sometimes overwhelming odds.
Today we remember loved ones and brave officers who are not with us. I wish to express gratitude to all officers who put their lives on the line to maintain law and order and secure our communities. Thank you and happy Police Day!
The world Day against Trafficking In Persons is commemorated on the 30th of July of each year. As we stand alongside other countries worldwide to reflect the day under the theme, “Reach every victim of trafficking, LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND” as a nation, Seychelles remains committed in denouncing all forms of transnational organized crimes against humanity.
The theme, ‘LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND’ is the central transformative commitment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its sustainable goals to end exploitation of trafficking victims, support victims and survivors once they are free from their traffickers, and not leaving identifiable vulnerable groups to traffickers.
Trafficking In Persons is a serious crime that shatters the lives of victims, their families, friends and society in general. The injustice and brutality suffered by the victims of Trafficking In Persons is beyond measure. Like many other countries worldwide, we have not been spared from the scourge as a country of origin, transit or destination.
Global crisis, conflicts, climate emergency and displacement of socio-economic inequalities are all intensifying trafficking risks, impacting millions of people worldwide and making them vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has also changed the characteristics of trafficking by pushing it further underground, making new routes for disturbing development and trends, thus increasing the dangers for victims by making the crime less likely to come to the attention of the authorities. Worldwide statistics indicates that 41 % of victims who manage to escape reach out to authorities on their own initiative. This is a clear sign that anti trafficking responses are falling short.
As a small island state with limited resources, Seychelles continues to step up in its efforts, to fight against exploitation by unscrupulous individuals. This was clearly indicated in this year’s US report, where for the first time, we have reached Tier 1 and note mentioning, the first African Country to do so.
Though we remain committed to protect, respect and fulfill the human rights of all migrants in our country, statistics indicate that over 80% of our reported cases were of foreign nationals. We cannot lower our guards, and instead need to double our efforts in this fight against all forms of trafficking in our country. With special attention given towards our own who are targeting vulnerable groups such as women, children and those with special needs.
Despite our differences, let us not turn a blind eye. As a family member, a friend, a neighbour, a concerned citizen, a dedicated worker and foremost, as a patriot, let us reinforce our efforts to combat all forms of trafficking so that we ‘LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND’.
The 30th July observes the World Day Against Trafficking In Persons, an event by the United Nations to raise awareness and increase prevention efforts.
Human trafficking involves recruitment, transportation, and possession of individuals through coercion or other fraudulent means to exploit them for profit. Anyone can be a victim of this heinous act regardless of age or background.
There are many ways that people get involved in trafficking, but the result is the same and these human beings lose their rights, identity as they are used and abused.
Our Ministry is working hard towards identifying and fighting this crime, through coordinated efforts and working closely with our partners. This day also allows us to recognise the victims and hear their stories. Human trafficking reaches the core of society, and we are all affected in some way. I am hopeful that with more focus and effort allocated to investigation and prosecution, we can prevent further men, women and children from falling victim to human trafficking. Trafficking human beings is a billion-dollar industry that is ever evolving and Seychelles joins the world to say NO to this crime.
As the custodians of Law and Order, and the security and safety of the country, the immense responsibility that you carry is very much recognised and appreciated. I therefore thank you for your continued efforts on the occasion of Labour Day.
To the Police Officers who maintain the security of our people, to the Prison Officers and support staff who work towards the rehabilitation of inmates so they can positively re-integrate into society. To the team of the Immigration Department who deliver crucial services to the public and maintain border control, to the Disaster Risk Management team who are always planning ahead to ensure our safety. To the Firefighters, Search & Rescue Teams and Lifeguards who take incredible risks every time they respond to an emergency, the employees of the Regional Centres who ensure information sharing and that there is constant surveillance of our Exclusive Economic Zone, and to the Secretariat staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who are truly the backbone of the Ministry, I thank you all.
I wish you all a very Happy Labour Day.