President James Michel convened an extraordinary Cabinet meeting this morning in order to review the situation on the ground following yesterday’s flooding at Anse Aux Pins, Pointe Larue and Cascade, which were declared disaster zones.

“ The situation is serious. There has been a lot of damage to many houses. I was pained by the suffering of the people I met yesterday. We will do everything we can to assist to help them and to assess the level of damage of the affected areas. For this reason I am setting up a Task Force to address the emerging issues concerning the disaster,” said President Michel following the meeting.

The President said the Task Force will be chaired by the Designated Minister and Minister for Community Development, Social Affairs and Sport, Mr. Vincent Meriton and will also comprise of the Minister from Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet, Minister for Land Use and Housing, Mr. Christian Lionnet, the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, Ms. Marie-Antoinette Rose as well as high level representatives from the Seychelles Land Transport Agency, Ministry of Finance, the Seychelles Agricultural Agency, the Red Cross, Public Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The President commended the National Risk and Disaster Management Committee, chaired by Professor Payet, and the Department for Disaster Risk Management for the ‘excellent work’ they executed yesterday and asked them to intensify their work to ensure that further damage does not occur in the affected areas.

“We will set up a National Disaster Relief Fund imminently in order to raise local and international financial  assistance for the families who were left without a home during the floods, as well as those who will need to repair their homes, as well as the surrounding infrastructure,” said the President.

Details concerning the National Disaster Relief Fund will be provided by the Task Force once the necessary legal framework has been put into place.

Mr. Michel also thanked all the emergency services, the SPDF, the Red Cross, the Police as well as all the District Brigade volunteers for their assistance to the people of the three districts.

“ There was a remarkable team spirit to help the people who were in need. The solidarity of the Seychellois people was clear for all to see. Even people who don’t live in those areas came to help. We can be proud of the strong spirit of solidarity of our people.”

Editor’s Note
• There will be a meeting at 5pm at DRDM Command Centre to give further updates on the situation.
• Mrs. Sharon Ernesta has been appointed as communications director for the Command Centre if you need updates. Email: ernesta@env.gov.sc   Mobile:  + 248 2722252