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).

An in-person and virtual meeting was held in regards to the unknown substance that has affected those who came into contact with it at various locations throughout Mahé. The objective of the meeting was to enhance the coordination between external partners and Seychelles in providing support during the event of a national emergency.

The meeting commenced with a situation brief given by Mr. Daniel Cetoupe, Chief Risk Management Officer of DRMD, on the evacuation procedures of the institution affected in regards to the evacuation protocols, medical care procedures for those affected and the management of the evacuation and medical care from frontline responders such as, Seychelles Fire and Rescue Service Agency (SFRSA), Seychelles Police Force (SPF), Public Health Authority (PHA), Police Forensics team and DRMD.

The international partners present were the representatives from the United Nations, His Excellency Srimal Wickremasinghe, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Seychelles, the World Health Organisations (WHO), the Chinese embassy and the Russian embassy.

Pictured below from left to right are Lin Yunan and Yan Lifong from the Chinese embassy, Ms. Jade Landry Head of the Education, Research and Information unit of DRMD, His Excellency Srimal Wickremasinghe High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Seychelles, Mr. Daniel Cetoupe Chief Risk Management Officer of DRMD, Ms. Lisa Singh, UN Resident Coordinator multi-country office for Seychelles and Mauritius, Mr. Alexander Odoevsky, Deputy Ambassador of the Russian Embassy and Mr. Alexander Mancham, UN Coordinator Officer Seychelles and Mauritius.