Although South Africa has not made any promises to send direct aid to the Seychelles in the wake of the tsunami disaster, it will ensure African countries are not overlooked by relief efforts, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.
”South Africa is the only African country represented in the Donor Fund’s working committee, which is meeting in Geneva tomorrow [Tuesday].
”It is coordinating the distribution of funds received from governments,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sue van der Merwe said at the Union Buildings in Pretoria — where the department met representatives of the Seychelles government.
Van der Merwe said South Africa’s disaster management committee will be involved in making sure donations received from South Africans reach countries such as the Seychelles.
”The people of Seychelles would like to thank the South African foreign affairs department and government for participating in international relief efforts,” Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeremie Bonnelame said.
Bonnelame estimated the island state sustained losses of $30-million (R179-million) in damage to its roads, bridges and ports.
”The Seychelles needs aid to rebuild its infrastructure, especially the fishing industry, which is central to our economy,” he said.
Bonnelame said although the country’s fishing industry has been badly affected, its other primary industry, tourism, has not been as badly affected as those of other countries, such as the Comores islands.
”Our airport and none of our hotels have been damaged by the tsunami and subsequent bad weather,” he said.
Both he and Van der Merwe encouraged South African tourists who have planned holidays to the Seychelles not to change their travel arrangements. — Sapa