Last Friday July 19th, Mr. Steve Recca, the advisor for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief initiatives at the Pacific Disaster Center (USA), while being hosted by the US Embassy in Seychelles took the opportunity to visit the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS). The visit was a chance to discuss on disaster risk management and relief efforts currently being done in the Seychelles. Mr. Recca was accompanied by the U.S. Charge d’Affaires for Seychelles, Adham Loufti, who also met with the Secretary General of the RCSS, Ms. Marie-May Esparon.
The visit turned out to be quite beneficial as it gave both sides the chance to discuss the several ways in which the center may support the work that the RCSS presently conducts by offering data and suggestions based on its experience and work done throughout the world.
Mr. Recca praised the RCSS during his visit to the headquarters for the amazing work it consistently does, which includes helping people in need, coordinating with other organizations, making donations, conducting first aid trainings and more. All of this is being accomplished in spite of its limited resources and the significant damage caused by the December 7, 2023, CCCL explosion to its Providence headquarters.
“The Pacific Disaster Centre operates globally, and among the national governments and Red Cross societies I work with, this one is possibly the most proactive in attempting to provide greater assistance to the people of Seychelles than anywhere else I have worked,” Mr. Recca remarked.
According to Ms. Esparon, “The discussion on the RCSS’s role in disasters proved to be highly beneficial. We got the chance to discuss what we do and draw comparisons with the actions of other Caribbean Island nations that are similar to our size. Given the similarities across small island states, the Pacific Disaster Centre have discovered several areas in which they may provide assistance”.
“These discussions will continue in the future and hopefully down the line we can also sign an agreement for further collaboration,” she stated.
The preparedness during disasters was also another component discussed and the RCSS Secretary General emphasized the importance of having contingencies and plans in place before an incident happens and this also includes climate change.
In light of the CCCL explosion, the RCSS has continued to advocate the benefits of these guidelines as it helps to ensure that disaster response is consistent and of a high quality whenever an emergency should arise. These include having entities establishing operational procedures for response, based on expected resource requirements and capacity.
Moreover, the RCSS appreciates any assistance that is directed toward increasing readiness and setting up necessary resources to lessen the effects and hazards associated with disasters, as well as capacity-building for its members and community involvement, which is one of the programs it has in place.
Adham Loufti emphasized the US’s focus on Africa as well as the different difficulties that exist there, “We are aware that the Red Cross provides assistance not only for emergencies like the explosion on December 7 but also for long-term issues like climate change, for instance.”
“We believe that these kinds of collaborations will bolster Seychelles’ ability to respond to disasters in the future, and we want to ensure that our partnership—which includes not only the Red Cross but also the Seychelles government and citizens—keeps expanding to improve our joint response capabilities.” said Mr. Loutfi.
The headquarters of the RCSS, which includes its storage warehouse, sustained significant damage, but the organization never stopped helping families in need by providing psychosocial support and doing referrals, assisting the local government with the food deliveries, and conducting needs assessments.
The RCSS is urging willing people and organizations to come forward should they wish to sponsor necessities or help with the renovation of its facilities.