Pretoria - South Africa has expressed solidarity with the Republic of Seychelles after the Island was hit by a tropical depression with heavy rains displacing hundreds of families.
Up to 350 families were reportedly displaced or remain unsheltered as they wait for their homes to be rehabilitated.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said: “It is with great regret and sadness that President Jacob Zuma and the people of South Africa have learnt of the news of the tropical depression that hit Seychelles, devastating three districts of the Mahé Island on 27 January 2013.”
It added that the storm dealt a devastating blow to the developing country’s infrastructure, destroying homes, public buildings, agricultural land and livestock.
In the interim, the government of Seychelles was assessing the damage in order to establish the immediate needs of the people.
The department said Zuma, having noted the severe damage and destruction to the island-state caused by the heavy rains and high tide, stands in solidarity with President James Michel and the people of Seychelles.
South Africa has also had parts of its country affected by severe flooding as a result of the unusual weather patterns.
“We hope that the 350 affected families and the entire population of the Seychelles will unify in responding to this disaster as they have done previously.” – SAnews.gov.za
