Seychelles signs UN pledge on disaster risk reduction |18 October 2014

Seychelles has joined other countries and organisations worldwide in a show of support to improve the situation of the elderly around the world both today and for growing future generations of older people.

This came through the signing of Charter Fourteen of the United Nations which calls for an inclusive approach to disaster risk reduction response to older people.

It was Designated Minister Vincent Meriton who signed the pledge yesterday during a small ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.

Among guests present were Vice-President Danny Faure, special advisor in the Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Dan Frichot, district administrators, officials of the Division of Risks and Disaster Management (DRDM) and of the community development and the elderly themselves.

The event was to commemorate the International Day for Disaster and Risk Reduction which falls on October 13.

This year the day is focusing on older people and the theme is ‘Resilience is for Life’.

“This year is the last of the four intensive years of campaigning whose principal objective is to increase education and involvement of children, youths, disabled people, women and older people,” said Mr Frichot, adding that being a small island state Seychelles attaches great importance to such a day.

“We  recognise that disasters, especially natural ones, are generally directly linked to climate change and development,” said Mr Frichot, mentioning President James Michel’s continuous calls on that subject at international forums to defend our country’s interest and that of other small island states.

“The International Day for Disaster and Risk Reduction is an opportunity to remind our population that climate change is real,” said Mr Frichot, referring to the pain it has brought to our communities and the economic cost to our country as a result.

Paul Labaleine of DRDM said after the cabinet approved the national policy of disaster risk management, the division started work on a strategic plan and an action plan which will guide the works of the DRDM in the country and to put them in line with international standards.

The document also shows how to protect the country and its citizens in the event of a disaster.

Referring to some ongoing international crisis, Mr Labaleine said these issues are telling us that we need to be vigilant and to have established structures and legal capabilities in place to protect the citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.

“We have assembled this afternoon to commemorate a symbolic event where Seychelles is joining other countries around the world to sign a pledge – that has fourteen minimum standards. By signing this pledge we are supporting the United Nations’ efforts to sensitise other governments across the world also to accept the pledge and put it in application,” said Mr Labaleine.

He added that Seychelles has already done a lot in this area while some governments have not done much.

Colette Servina of the Red Cross then read out the fourteen minimum standards of the pledge.