DRMD Signs MoUs with UniSey and Red Cross to Mark International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
VICTORIA, Seychelles — To commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, which falls on October 13, the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) on Friday signed two memoranda of understanding with the University of Seychelles and the Red Cross Society of Seychelles respectively. The event, held at the National Museum, also recognised the winners of the Kreolite Disaster Resilience Poem Competition.
This year’s global theme, ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters’, calls on nations to invest in measures that reduce disaster risks, build preparedness and strengthen resilience before crises strike. Speaking at the event, Internal Affairs minister Errol Fonseka said the theme speaks powerfully to the present moment. ‘Around the world, we see disasters becoming more frequent, more intense, and more expensive. And while Seychelles may not face disasters on the same scale as others, our small island geography makes us deeply vulnerable. One severe storm, landslide or flood can set back years of progress. That is why investing in resilience is investing in our future. It is not just about building infrastructure; it is about protecting lives, livelihoods and the environment that sustains us. When we fund resilience, we fund peace of mind for our people,’ he said.
The collaboration with UniSey and the Red Cross will support joint research, training and community outreach, helping to embed disaster risk reduction across the education system and civil society. The poem competition, organised with the Kreolite brand, encouraged young people to express their understanding of resilience in Creole and to reflect on the experiences of their families and communities.
Officials said the partnerships are expected to strengthen Seychelles’ disaster preparedness framework and ensure that the country is better equipped to anticipate, respond to and recover from natural and man-made hazards.
