Seychelles now better prepared for disasters |10 June 2008

A risk profile database outlining the potential threats to the country from natural hazards – and identifying the most vulnerable infrastructures and communities – has been completed.

The profile follows a survey funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the French government, with the support of the Department of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM), to develop an early warning and disaster management system in the country.

The risk profile database will result in a better response to natural hazards and reduction in the damage they cause.

The initiative followed the 2004 tsunami, which alerted the government to the need for a risk analysis to assess the country’s vulnerability in case of future natural disasters.

The project was signed by UNDP consultant Richard Guillande and Seychellois Denis Chang-Seng early in 2006.

Parties directly involved in the field of natural hazards had the chance to look at the risk profile during a recent presentation by Mr Guillande.

Director general of the DRDM Michel Vielle explained that the database will be in the interests of local developers, especially those lining up projects on the outlying islands. He said some of the results reveal interesting facts, while others are shocking in their predictions.

The findings of the survey were gathered through a development of scenarios. These included a proposal for hazard models, which will be used to extrapolate future hazards, the mapping of hazard zones and vulnerabilities, the writing of disaster scenarios and the design of risk profiles.

The areas covered were cases of disasters such as tsunamis, storms – cyclones and heavy rainfalls – floods, landslides, drought, bush fires and sea-level rise.