VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) has deployed 18 volunteers and staff to support the national response to the fire that broke out at the Providence landfill on Saturday. RCSS teams are working alongside the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA), the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) and the Ministry of Health to provide much-needed relief to frontline firefighters.
Volunteers are offering massage therapy to ease fatigue, rehydration and cold compress treatment for exhaustion, as well as psychosocial support to help manage stress. Some firefighters have been treated for exhaustion, smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. The fire, which continues to burn, has created heavy smoke and affected nearby communities and infrastructure.
The RCSS secretary general, Marie-May Esparon, together with the health coordinator, Karine Labonte, the Cascade district administrator, Begita Melanie, and the director for Community Affairs, Vesna Gertrude, visited the Roche Caiman sports complex yesterday morning, where 35 residents have been temporarily relocated due to hazardous fumes. The principal secretary for Local Government and Community Affairs, Kevin Perrine, was also present at the shelter. Most of those relocated are foreign construction workers.
The shelter, managed by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, reports that all residents are in good health with no smoke-related complications. The fire has also partially affected buildings close to the landfill, as well as several boats in the area. The situation remains under close monitoring.
