DRMD launches new website |05 November 2022
The group of staff who had followed training in the ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction at the University of Seychelles seen here in a souvenir photograph with course coordinator Daniel Etongo after they had received their certificate (Photo: Joena Me
• Useful platform for the nationwide volunteer campaign early next year
The Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) yesterday afternoon launched its new website, coinciding with World Tsunami Awareness Day today, November 5.
The launch by DRMD’s director general, Robert Ernesta, took place in the presence of DRMD’s employees at their headquarters in Mont Fleuri.
According to the senior disaster management officer, Cheryl Bristol, they wanted to coincide it with the World Tsunami Awareness Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly, which calls on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.
Ms Bristol said the new website replaces the one managed by the former Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) which was outdated and not properly maintained.
“As you are aware our name and structure have changed as well so it goes well with a new website,” said Ms Bristol.
She added the new version is informative and provides ample information about DRMD.
“There has been confusion in the past about our work, what we do, the types of training we conduct, including both local and international ones. So all these information is available on our website as well as our international engagement as people will be able to access various documents we have signed with different organisations as well as read about our law and learn more about our role,” said Ms Bristol.
The website provides information on the team’s structure and duties, their mission and vision as well as mitigation, preparedness, recovery and response measures.
It also highlights the major disasters in Seychelles history in chronological order from the great avalanche in Victoria in October 1862, landslides and flooding as well as DRMD’s role in the recent global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
DRMD said the platform will also be a useful tool to promote its nationwide volunteer campaign early next year.
The website can be viewed at drmd.sc
During yesterday’s launch, a group of staff who had followed a training in the ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction at the University of Seychelles were also presented with their certificates of achievement by UniSey’s course coordinator, Daniel Etongo.
Patsy Canaya