The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted in the third UN world conference in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan March 18, 2015, following the Hyogo Framework for Action of 2005-2015 highlighted as “Building Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disaster”.

During his first day the Minister met with Ms. Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. During their meeting Ms. Mizutori reassured United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)s commitment in supporting Seychelles. Minister Fonseka emphasized on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and how “there is a need to foster the culture of resilience amongst our nation”. The meeting was an opportunity for Ms. Mizutori to engage with all member states prior to the high level meeting which took place on the 18th & 19th of May.

Minister Fonseka co-chaired a round table with H.E. Mr. Raed Arafat State Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Romania. The discussion focused on governing disaster risk in fragile ecosystems.
During the High Level Meeting the Minister delivered his address, expressing gratitude for the support pledged by UNDRR in facilitating the collection of disaster loss related data which will update information related to Seychelles on the Desinventar platform. This will help in making evidence-based decisions towards resilience and preparedness implementation programs.

Minister Fonseka stated that, “in responding to disasters, which usually come without warning, flexibility and adaptability should be principles that feature in the allocation of financial assistance. The potential for major disasters within the Indian Ocean is very worrying due to the level of the increase of the world’s commercial maritime traffic and the rising level of organized crime within the western Indian Ocean”. He continued by stating, “security and safety, which are non-traditional security issues are clear and present threats that impends our existence. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU), climate change, drugs & human trafficking all add to the negative impact on our environment and our coastal livelihood”.
The Minister expressed that the meeting further cements the governments’ commitment in advancing disaster management in Seychelles through active collaborations with foreign partners. He also commented on the shared experiences and knowledge gathered during the round table discussions.
The Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015- 2030 is an opportunity for countries member states to identify and implement renovations, innovations and course corrections to policy, practice, investment and cooperation to prevent, mitigate and reduce existing and emerging risk before 2030. The High-Level Meeting aims to raise awareness and mutual understanding of integrated risk reduction in decision-making, investment, behavior and best practices to address gaps and obstacles of commitments and plans to implementation in alignment with the Sendai Framework.

During the discussions the Secretary General, Ms. Mami Mizutori gave reassurance of the United Nation Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s commitment for the UN Volunteers and their specialist assistance to the Seychelles with the disaster risk information for the Desinventar platform, which is to commence in September 2023. Furthermore, Minister Fonseka raised several points using local examples to place emphasis on Small Island Developing States initiative, and its characteristics with the need to cultivate the culture of resilience amongst our nation.

The meeting concluded with the Secretary General, Ms. Mami Mizutori’s reassurance that within the Political Declaration set for 18th of May 2023, Small Island Developing States will be strongly included in the decision-making.

As we approach the midpoint of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, such High-Level Meeting (HLM) with member states represents a unique opportunity to galvanize political attention and accelerate action towards the radical transformation that must take place.

In addition, the HLM also provides a platform for Member States, the United Nations system partners and other stakeholders to reflect on the findings and recommendations of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework and formulate a forward-looking and risk-informed approach to more effectively address systemic risk.

Representatives from various organisations such as the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, Seychelles Meteorological Authority, Department of Tourism, Public Health Authority, Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles, Public Utilities Corporation, Cable and Wireless and others attended a validation workshop for the Sendai Framework Mid-Term Review this morning.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 (SFDRR) is considered the blueprint for disaster risk reduction globally. With four main priority areas and seven global targets aiming towards the achievement substantial reduction in losses attributed to lives, health and livelihoods in communities and countries reaches its mid-point next year.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has initiated a mid-term review to take stock of the overall implementation of the framework on a country basis. This involves the assessment of the progress, challenges experienced as well as the identification of changes and emerging issues in order to formulate country specific recommendations and priorities. The review is expected to inform specific policy adjustments and present new modalities for governments to adopt and implement in the coming years.

The Mid-Term Review Report produced by the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) unfolds by introducing the key concepts, frameworks and literature that guides disaster risk management on both an international and national level. It then presents the methodology that the Seychelles has adopted to conduct the review. It moves on to provide an overview of the findings, the progress, gaps and the constraints that different organisations have faced in the implementation of the framework. The report concludes by providing country specific recommendations from the findings in order to guide and improve on the next phase of implementation of the framework.

The workshop that was held at Olympic House, in Roche Caiman comes about following the culmination of numerous stakeholder consultative meetings held by officers of the DRMD. These stakeholders come from various sectors such academia, the media, political leaders and others. The last of the consultative meetings were held in August this year. 

The half day interaction between DRMD and the participants consisted of presentations of retrospective review results by senior officers of the DRMD, namely Aisha Rachel, from the Planning and Preparedness Unit and Veronique Philoe from the National and International Cooperation Unit.

During the plenary session following the presentations, there was a number of significant points raised by the participants. These included the need to have wider consultation to include members of the community as well as the inclusion of traditional and indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction. It was also recognised that there is a strong need for more education and awareness efforts by the DRMD and other partner agencies and the need to improve coordination efforts and for much emphasis to be placed on the integration of disaster risk reduction practices at all levels of society.

The report will be amended after further feedback is collected by the DRM

18th Regional Roundtable Meeting ECA African Union African Union Commission AU Barbados Biennial Framework Biennial Report 2021-2022 BNGRC CBRN Central Police Stattion DRM Act 2014 DRMD Early Warning System EASF Eastern African Standby Force Evacuation Plan EWS HARE Humanitarian Day IOC Large-scale exercise Madagascar Malagasy Bureau National pour la Gestion des Risques et Catastrophes meeting Ministry of Finance Ministry of Finance Trade and National Planning National Focal Point National Oil Spill Contingency Plan NFP NIEMP NOSCP p.u.c Port Victoria Emergency Preparedness Plan RDRM-IO SADC Sendai Frame South Korea SPF tabletop exercise UN UNDRR UNICRI Unknown Substance Workshop World Humanitarian Day 2024