VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Italian Red Cross, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and in coordination with the Red Cross Society of Seychelles, are implementing a project to strengthen disaster risk governance in four Indian Ocean island states — Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles. As part of this initiative, a delegation from the ItRC, including Giovanni Zambon, regional delegate for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, and Eleonora Blanca, legal advisor, is currently in Seychelles for a field visit until April 4, 2025.
Given the key role the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment plays in disaster response and preparedness, the delegation, alongside the secretary general of the RCSS, Marie-May Esparon, will be meeting with Minister Flavien Joubert to discuss potential areas of cooperation and knowledge sharing. The meeting will be taking place on Thursday April 3, 2025 at 11am at the minister’s meeting room, Oliaji Trade Centre.
As part of the project’s inception phase, the preliminary field visit is to engage with key stakeholders involved in disaster in the country with the aim to establish direct communication with key stakeholders, introduce the project objectives, activities and expected outcomes, and collect preliminary insights on DRM-related legislative frameworks. The expected outcomes from the visit include a clear understanding of the current DRM governance structure in Seychelles, confirmation of focal points from the RCSS and NDMAs, agreement on timelines and next steps for project activities, and identification of any logistical or operational concerns for future activities.
