Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that the procedures adopted in the event of a cyclonic and torrential rains are spelt out in the National Disaster Scheme 2015 and my Ministry is responsible for the opening and manning of evacuee centres during these events. Evacuee centres are opened either when a cyclone warning class 3 is issued by the Mauritius Meteorological Services or following a request from the National Emergency

60 Operations Command (NEOC) in the event of torrential rain, flooding or any other national disasters. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that for Cyclonic Season 2024-2025, 166 evacuee centres have been finalised across the island. For the recent passage of the cyclone Garance, all the 166 evacuee centres have been supplied with basic necessities such as bottle water, biscuits, baked beans and yoga mats. In addition, the new government has also included canned tuna in the latest food pack. All the evacuee centres fall under the purview of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare and the local authorities. Before finalising the list, an assessment of each of these centres is carried out by my Ministry in collaboration with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure their suitability to be used as evacuee centres. My Ministry employs on needs and ad hoc basis three officers, namely a Supervisor, an Assistant Supervisor and a Caretaker to operate each of the evacuee centre. The list of evacuee centres, together with the list of staffing, are updated yearly prior to the start of cyclonic season. The present list was established under the previous government. After the present cyclonic season, this list might be reviewed. In the public interest, I am tabling, in the National Assembly, the full list of evacuee centres for the benefit of the public. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, though evacuee centres are not classified constituency-wise, I am, nevertheless, informed that there are 8 evacuee centres in Constituency No. 20, Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière, namely – 1. Mont Roches Social Welfare Centre; 2. Barkly Community Centre; 3. Colonel Maingard Community Centre; 4. Coromandel Community Centre; 5. Petite Rivière Social Welfare Centre; 6. Albion Community Centre;

61 7. Gros Cailloux Community Centre, and 8. Canot Community Centre. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that arrangements for the transportation of refugees to these centres are made as and when required by the Police through the NEOC to ensure safety during natural disasters. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.

M. le président, je remercie l’honorable ministre pour sa réponse. Dans la liste qui avait été circulée au niveau du public lors du passage du dernier cyclone par rapport à la circonscription no. 20, d’après cette liste, je n’ai constaté que quatre centres de refuge et là, l’honorable ministre nous parle de 8. Peut-être qu’il y a eu un malentendu quelque part. Je ne suis pas en train de dire que l’honorable ministre ne dit pas la vérité mais je pense qu’il y a eu, probablement, une erreur au niveau de la liste qui avait été circulée pour la circonscription no. 20 ou uniquement la partie rurale est mentionnée. La partie rurale – je parle de Canot Gros Cailloux, Petite Rivière et Albion. Au niveau de cette partie de la circonscription uniquement, il y avait des centres de refuge. Donc, l’honorable ministre conviendra qu’il faudrait, je pense, quand on circule une liste, qu’on s’assure effectivement que ce soit la bonne liste avec tous les centres, qui englobe toute la circonscription. Je vous remercie, M. le président.

The list I am tabling in the National Assembly mentions the 8 centres. I am not aware of the list that you have mentioned, but I can confirm to the House that in Constituency No. 20, there are 8 evacuee centres.

Hon. Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet! PUBLIC HOSPITALS – MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CASES