Seychelles: post-tsunami environmental assessment

The Seychelles island group was struck by a series of powerful tidal surges, resulting from the tsunami, generated by the earthquake off Indonesia on 26 December 2004. As a direct consequence of these tidal surges two people lost their lives, and hundreds of families suffered damage to their home and livelihoods. The effects of the tsunami were compounded by exceptionally heavy rainfall on 29 December, causing flooding, landslides and tree/rock falls. The Seychelles are globally recognized for the richness of their marine and terrestrial ecosystems, which in turn support the islands’ main economic activities; tourism and fishing. There was concern that in addition to its direct impacts on human communities, the tsunami may have caused damage to the islands’ environmental values, thereby indirectly affecting livelihoods.