Following the Covid-19 global pandemic, it became evident of the paramount importance for the country to have emergency response plans alongside relevant contingency plans, to ease response when disasters struck.  

In view that the country highly depends on Seychelles National Port and Airport for maintenance of daily life and the economy. Disruption to either facility would result in a multitude of impacts; from food, fuel and job insecurity, as tourism and fisheries are the main pillar of the Seychelles economy.

The Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) during recent World Bank Mission to Seychelles confirmed that ensuring business and service continuity for these critical national infrastructures is viewed as a top priority for government. Whilst both the Port and Airport have statutory plans already in place that comply with international standards, their plans were identified to not fully aligned with the National Integrated Emergency Plan (NIEMP), which sets up the framework for effective coordination of preparedness and response operations, regardless of scale and causation for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Seychelles.

Starting on Friday 16^th June 2023, DRMD with technical support of the World bank consultants along with the Seychelles Port Authority (SPA) and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) started the initial reviewal of draft plans for both SPA and SCAA which continued throughout the following week of Tuesday 20^th June to Friday 23^rd June 2023.

The first two days of the event were centralised around the sensitisation of Disaster Risk Management Focal persons of each responding MDAs to understand their roles when responding to emergencies at the Port Victoria and the Seychelles International Airport. Clarification of the Integrated Emergency Management System (IEMS), Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) and plans required by the MDAs were also some of the key points discussed during the two sessions.  

Whereas for the following days, Thursday 22^nd and Friday 23^rd June, both SPA and SCAA along with their corresponding first responders were tested during a table-top exercise to familiarise everyone with the chain of command and decision making at the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) also known as the Silver Command Post.   This was then followed by an afternoon session at the NEOC headquarters for an escalation of the presented scenarios during the table-top exercise, at a national level.

In view of the training, the corresponding MDAs are expected to review and amend their established SOPs, to be aligned with the National Integrated Emergency Plan (NIEMP). Moreover, the MDAs are expected to evaluate their emergency operations system regularly through several table-top exercises, similarly to exercises conducted. Thus, building effective coordination between MDAs and effectual preparedness response.  

The workshop was launched with remarks from the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr Errol Fonseka, Principal Secretary for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Kevin Perine, and Director General of DRMD, Mr Robert Ernesta.

The primary objective of the workshop was to streamline the National Incident Command System, taking into consideration the challenges faced by various agencies in responding to emergencies and disasters and how each MDA’s plans could coordinate with one another.

As the workshop aimed to enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration among stakeholders so that Seychelles can be better prepared to respond to any crisis.

The session was attended by officials from the Public Utilities Corporation, the Disaster Risk Management Division, the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, the Seychelles Public Transportation Corporation, and local government and community affairs, including district administrators from Glacis and Anse Etoile, as well as Perseverance.

It was agreed that a survey would be undertaken during the week of the 30th to verify the population size that could be affected based on a model developed by P.U.C and to assess feasibility of assembly points and propose alternatives if necessary.

A subsequent session is scheduled for the week of February 6th, 2023, to discuss the Emergency Operating Procedures that various entities will employ for the Emergency Preparedness Plan.

On Friday the 18th November, the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) in collaboration with the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) conducted a tabletop exercise with the aim of testing the efficacy of the current Port Victoria Emergency Preparedness Plan.

The main objective was to identify gaps and limitations and assessing understanding of the plan in liaisons with stakeholder’s respective of roles and responsibilities within the commercial port.

The Port Victoria Emergency Preparedness Plan is supposed to be guided by the National Integrated Emergency Management Plan (NIEMP).

The Port Emergency plan is expected to specify basic guidelines that should be followed by the Port personnel in the event of an emergency occurring either on land or in water adjacent to the port facility. It covers all types of emergencies that may arise as a result of fire, explosion, marine casualty, pollution or natural phenomena.

The Table Top exercise held at SPA was carried out through scenarios where participants were expected to execute given injects in a coordinated manner and show understanding of the situation and what was expected of them. The exercise was followed by an afternoon de- brief and discussion.

The entirety of the exercise was guided by Clive Chiffone from Seychelles Intelligence Service, Lieutenant, Colonel Michael Hollanda and DRMD Director General, Robert Ernesta. The component assessed were the preparedness of the organisations and individuals within it, evaluation of compliance and exercise execution and recommended action to improve preparedness and planning.

Following the exercise, the need for further discussion and revision of participating stakeholder’s emergency plans were highlighted and post-review meetings are being planned.