The training workshop targeted the Senior Level Management from various organisations, with the aim to provide participants with an understanding of asset integrity principles and their significance for safety within work environments.

The workshop was led by the Chief Executive Officer of Asset Integrity Engineering (AIE), Mr. Neil Flemming. Representatives of DRMD present were Ms. Vanesia Dodin, the Head of Disaster Risk Mitigation Unit and Ms. Annicka Chetty from the Planning and Preparedness Unit.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of integrity of assets within industries and workplace as a critical component in ensuring safety of the public and community.

Following the presentation, the participant shared their insights and experiences in regards to operational risks and hazards within their respective organisations through an interactive session. Whereby, Mr. Flemming gave an overview of the 10 Assets Integrity Management Elements.

Moreover, open-ended scenarios such as a collapse in the oil platforms known as the Piper Alpha and Rough Platform were used to review the necessity to implement prevention procedures, emergency response plans, crisis management initiatives and adherence to international and national regulated standards.

The aim of this workshop was to encourage the members of Southern African Development Community (SADC) to implement impact-based forecasting which utilises weather forecasting to predict and communicate the potential impacts of weather and climate events on society, the economy and the environment. Attendees discussed the modalities of anticipatory action, interpretation of meteorological data and translating it into actionable impact forecasted as part of the in-person training programme targeting disaster managers, emergency coordinators, food security analysts, meteorologists and other experts involved in weather and climate related decision making and risk management.

Following the first 3 days training session, Mr. Robert Ernesta, the Director General of Disaster Risk Management Division, also the Chairperson for the Seychelles Vulnerability Assessment Committee (SezVac) presented the workplans of the committee for the year 2024/2025.  Several activities were discussed, including the review of National Food and Nutrition Security Policy and the Situational Analysis Report.

During this presentation, Mr. Ernesta also explained the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on Seychelles through the disasters of massive flash flood and extensive rockfalls in the North of Mahé on December 6, 2023.

The El Niño phenomenon refers to the warming of the ocean’s surface or the above average sea surface temperature in the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean which occurs at irregular intervals, two to seven years. The phenomenon is also associated with drought, erratic rainfall and high temperatures. These occurrences lead to water scarcity, reduced food availability and disease outbreaks.

The Seychelles delegation briefed the attendees of the workshop on the events surrounding the disaster on the 6^th December 2023, which was related to the El Niño phenomenon.

According to SADC, there has been an increase in the number of reported disasters whose intensity, frequency and level of devastation has been increasing, henceforth compromising the developmental strides that the region has been making. Thus, March 2022, the Secretary General of the United Nations directed the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to a new initiative that will provide every citizen on the planet, including Seychelles with the coverage of an Early Warning System.

Through this workshop, DRMD obtained several elements on anticipatory approach through group discussions and open-ended scenarios to boost proactive measures prior to disasters to minimize risks, protect lives, livelihoods, and enhance resilience.

Attending the workshop were Mr. Robert Ernesta, the Director General of DRMD, Ms. Aisha Rachel, the Head of Planning and Preparedness unit and Ms. Brenda Cheptoo from Seychelles Meteorological Authority.

In collaboration with the European Union and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ,the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) hosted by the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centers of Excellence (CoE) awareness workshop yesterday, Tuesday 26^th March 2024.

The aim of this workshop was to raise awareness on CBRN to key stakeholders and discuss the establishment of the national CBRN committee in Seychelles led by the designated CBRN national focal point, Ms. Vanesia Dodin.

During this workshop Ms. Dodin, presented the past and current CBRN CoE related activities in Seychelles such as Project 60-Nuclear Safety and Security, Project 66-Medisafe and Project P99-BIOCAP. Both Project 60 and Project 66 were established in 2018.

Project P60- Nuclear Safety and Security, was established to support the review of the legislation and the draft of the radiation safety and security regulations. The project also supported the draft of a national Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RADPLAN) and the review of a safe and secure management of radioactive source in Seychelles, as well as the strategies to improve control of radiation in Seychelles. Under this project Seychelles acquired several radiation detection devices and trainings on security inspections.

As Project P66-Medisafe, it was established in March 2018 to November 2023 to support the fight against the production and trafficking of Substandard, Falsified Medicines and Health Products (SFMHP) to ensure better health outcomes. Under such project technical working groups were established to facilitate sharing of information between various agencies that has a role to play in addressing SFMHP. The project also promoted capacity building and awareness raising on SFMHP with a national Standard Operation Procedure for handling SFMHP by mapping the supply chain of both private and the public sectors.

Whereas Project P-99 BIOCAP aimed to strengthened biosafety and biosecurity capabilities in East and Central Africa including Seychelles. The project started in January 2023 and is expected to end in June 2026, over a period of 3 years. The project focuses on enhancing the region’s ability to detect and mitigate risks related to biological materials or agents, as well as the risks associated with installations or sites.

Establishing the way forward, the stakeholders raised many points in regards to education and awareness of CBRN in Seychelles, as well as improved coordination and communication amongst stakeholders themselves. Following this workshop, it is expected that a national CBRN committee be established, forming a national team to develop the CBRN action plan in Seychelles supported by the European Union.

Representatives in attendance to the workshop were Mr. Robert Ernesta, the Director General of DRMD, accompanied by

Ms. Vanesia Dodin, CBRN Focal Point, also the Head of Disaster Risk Mitigation Unit, Ms. Jade Landry, Head of Education, Research and Information Unit and Ms. Aisha Rachel, Head of Planning and Preparedness Unit.

Other representatives present were the Other representatives present were the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Seychelles Foreign Affairs Department, Department of Land Transport, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, Seychelles Ports Authority, Seychelles Fire and Rescue Service Agency, Airport Fire and Rescue Service Agency,

Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Trade, Seychelles Defense Forces, Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs Seychelles. Seychelles Bureau of Standards, National Bureau of Statistics, Seychelles Revenue Agency, Ministry of Health, Seychelles Planning Authority, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and Seychelles Petroleum Company Limited.

Following session 1 of the District Contingency Plan workshop held on Monday 18th March 2024, a list of recommendations and proposals were gathered for discussion by the DRMD such as the amendment of the District Contingency Plan to the District Emergency Response Plan.

Other key recommendations addressed were the need for additional support by DRMD and other responding agencies during site visits and the establishment of a District Disaster Committee by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.

The local government’s officials also recommended that the roles and responsibilities of the Incident Command System (ICS) be clarified to the first responders’ stakeholders and the members of the platinum level.

Lastly, through the collaboration of the Ministry of Local Government and the Community Affairs with DRMD, great emphasis was placed on the need for more educational awareness campaigns on disaster management and risk reduction in Seychelles.

During the workshop, Ms. Aisha Rachel representative of DRMD, outlined the different roles and responsibilities of the District Administrators under the National Integrated Emergency Management Plan (NIEMP). This is to ensure that the District Contingency Plan (DCP) is aligned to the NIEMP in the case of an emergency.

Following the presentation, the local government’s officials expressed the different challenges and concerns faced during an emergency, in relevance to the disasters faced on 7th December 2023.

Representatives present were the District Administrators, Red Cross Society of Seychelles, Seychelles Meteorological Authority and the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs Seychelles.

During the workshop, stakeholders were able to share their expectations in the event of an oil spill, and confirm what resources and capabilities they will be able to contribute to the National Oil Spill Preparedness and Response.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment in collaborations with the Nairobi Convention under Strategic Action Program Policy Harmonization and Institutional Reforms Project (SAPPHIRE).

The NOSCP was drafted a couple years ago, however, after a Special Review Report of the Auditor General (Sustainable Development Goals 2030 – Seychelles Coastal Management) in 2019, identified that there is a need for revision. This was accepted by SCG and the former Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

This review will ensure the alignment of the NOSCP with the Integrated Emergency Management System (IEMS).