OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Tropical Depression - Seychelles
20 September 2002


This situation report is based on information provided by the UNDP
Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles.

Situation

1. During the week end of 5- 8 September 2002, the Island of Praslin,
Seychelles' second largest island, was hit by a severe tropical
depression. Praslin has a population of 6,000 which increases
significantly during the tourist season. (Information regarding the damage
and needs has only now become available).

2. The heavy rains and strong winds, exceeding 120 km per hour, caused
widespread damage to roads and infrastructure throughout Praslin. Many
electricity poles were blown down and the new Praslin domestic airport
terminal suffered considerable damage. No casualties were reported.

3. Some 30,000 trees were uprooted, in addition to the direct impact on
the biodiversity of the island, the loss of many endemic species has
potential implications for the tourism industry.


National Response

4. The Office of the United Nations Development Programme for Mauritius
and Seychelles reports that the Government of Seychelles has started to
repair damage to infrastructure, notably to roads and public utilities.

5. However, the Government resources are insufficient to implement the
required environmental rehabilitation and other measures in the
short-term. Therefore, urgent external support has been requested to
ensure that rehabilitation and recovery measures can be put in place
immediately. This will contribute towards ensuring that the tourist
industry in Praslin is not adversely affected, and that the revenues
subsequently earned from tourism can in turn be used to further
rehabilitate the island.

6. The bulk of assistance is needed for environmental rehabilitation. The
Ministry of the Environment has estimated the rehabilitation costs at USD
6 million. A breakdown is provided below:

Activities                                        USD
Rehabilitate affected    Electricity and        2,000,000
infrastructure           related services
                         Buildings and roads    1,300,000

Evaluation of            Study and habitat        200,000
biodiversity impact      assessment using
                         remote sensing

Reforestation            Rehabilitation of        500,000
Programme                Nursery
                         Replanting             1,000,000

Meteorological           Two new                  200,000
Services                 meteorological
                         stations and
                         related peripherals

Emergency Clean-up       Equipment replacement    300,000
Support

Grand Total                                     5,500,000
Percentage of Total Economic Loss                     6.4%


7. OCHA Geneva is in close contact with the Office of the Resident
Coordinator in Mauritius and will revert if the situation warrants it.

8. Contributions should be channeled through the Office of the UNDP
Resident Representative in Mauritius and Seychelles. Donors to contact:

Ms. Rose Gakuba:  Tel: +230-208-8691
                  Fax: +230-208-4871
               E-mail: rose.gakuba@undp.org

9. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Ms. F. D'Andreagiovanni / M. J. de Meritens / Ms. H. Kuttab
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 14 78 / 71934 / 73194

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  (NYC)  Brian Grogan direct Tel. +1-212-963-1143


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