Seychelles: the cost of housing destruction from natural disasters ranges from $7.5 million to $15 million.

Restoring houses damaged by a Dec. 7 explosion at the Advanced Industrial Complex and destroyed by mudslides after heavy rains the same day will cost between 100 million and 200 million rupees ($7.5 million to $15 million), Seychelles President Babel Ramkalawan said Thursday.

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Ramkalavan made the announcement at a press conference with the media a week after two disasters affected the north and east sides of Mahe, the main island.

Sachels suffered two major shocks on Dec. 7. Heavy rains caused severe road damage, flooding and mudslides. Several buildings were damaged and three people were killed.

The same day, the explosion of four containers of explosives at a mining facility in the Advanced Industrial Complex caused massive damage to homes and commercial buildings on the east coast of the main island of Mahe.

The President said:

"We have visited 430 houses and there are probably more.

About 1,400 residents are believed to have been affected, with 43 houses seriously damaged, 118 less seriously damaged and 269 in need of minor repairs. "

He also said the government has pledged to rebuild homes so that victims can return to their homes. For those who will have to demolish their homes, the government has allocated 1 million rupees ($75,000) per house so that people can rebuild them.

Ramkalawan said some areas still pose a risk due to the safety of some families, and in those cases families will be housed elsewhere.

The government will give each affected family a 25,000 rupee ($1800) lump sum payment to enable them to buy necessary goods and the payment will be made next week.

Ramkalawan said two friendly countries have offered their assistance, including Mauritius with a $50,000 donation and Rwanda with $3 million.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent a delegation to Seychelles, led by the Charity Action Officer, so they can see the damage for themselves.

Ramkalavan also announced that the United Kingdom has assisted Seychelles in investigating the bombing. "There is already an expert in the country working closely with the police. We are also looking for specialists who can do the analysis afterwards," he added.