As members of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Indian Ocean islands and Caribbean islands are vulnerable to disasters due to their size, geographic remoteness, limited resources and dependency on importation of resources. Therefore, SIDS face various natural and human induced hazard and disasters like Hurricanes, Cyclones, Earthquakes and Tsunamis which are often amplified by climate change and anthropogenic activities.

The objective of this technical visit was to enhance the cooperation between the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean region, and for the national NDMAs of the Indian Ocean Islands to share their work in Disaster Risk Reduction. The participants visited key institution for Disaster Risk Reduction at a regional, national and community levels. The technical visit included various activities such as the Barbados situation room visits, panel discussions, expert briefings and workshops to identify and exchange the best practices in prevention and mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery efforts.

During the study tour, emphasis was made to enhance and strengthen the current Early Warning System within the CDEMA and IOC countries by integrating a multi-hazard Early Warning System that will provide timely and accurate information to communities at risk. The Multi-hazard Early warning system will permit NDMAs and first responders to act in a timely manner to reduce the effects of the hazards.

Through the RDRM-IO program, the NDMAs of Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros and Madagascar in support of IOC, aims to establish a Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Indian Ocean. This is to improve the coordination of national initiatives between the Indian Ocean islands to facilitate knowledge exchanges of the best practices, lessons learned and innovative approaches for strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) between the Caribbean region and the Indian Ocean.

The objective of the workshop was to implement the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Strategic Development Plan 2022-2023 in efforts to boost Resilience Building and Disaster Response Management in the Indian Ocean (RDRM IO) project to aid in reducing and mitigating the potential of various casualties caused by a disaster.

During this workshop, the Director General of DRMD, Mr. Robert Ernesta explained the works and efforts conducted by Disaster Risk Management Division to boost disaster risk reduction in Seychelles. Mr. Ernesta was accompanied by Mr. Daniel Cetoupe the Chief Risk Management Officer and Ms. Aisha Rachel the Head of Planning and Preparedness unit.

The international representatives present were from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations (UN), Indian Ocean Regional Intervention Platform (PIROI), and members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Indian Ocean Regional Intervention Platform (PIROI) hosted the second regional workshop for the establishment of regional cooperation mechanism on disaster risk reduction in the Indian Ocean region at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort and Casino over a two-day period from Tuesday 7th May 2024 to Wednesday 8th May 2024.

The objective of the workshop was to implement the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Strategic Development Plan 2022-2023 in efforts to boost Resilience Building and Disaster Response Management in the Indian Ocean (RDRM IO) project to aid in reducing and mitigating the potential of various casualties caused by a disaster.

During this workshop, the Director General of DRMD, Mr. Robert Ernesta explained the works and efforts conducted by Disaster Risk Management Division to boost disaster risk reduction in Seychelles. Mr. Ernesta was accompanied by Mr. Daniel Cetoupe the Chief Risk Management Officer and Ms. Aisha Rachel the Head of Planning and Preparedness unit.

The international representatives present were from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations (UN), Indian Ocean Regional Intervention Platform (PIROI), and members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).