What is natural calamity? A natural disaster (or natural calamity) is a natural hazard (e.g.

flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, or landslide). Usually, they have very damaging effects on the environment and its people. The extent to which Mauritius will be affected or remain unaffected will depend on the region on which the calamity is happening, the nature of the calamity and the power/strength of the calamity. Sometimes, it is very difficult to predict the effect a calamity is going to have. For example, we might expect fewer tourists to come to Mauritius during cyclonic conditions, however, many tourists have admitted to coming to Mauritius to experience the fun, risk and challenge of living in such conditions. National Solidarity Fund which provides financial assistance to victims in the event of natural calamities like fire, flood, cyclones, thunder, lightning, etc. Mauritius Red Cross Society helps in natural calamities, health education, providing First Aid and offering First Aid Courses, and in various social and community services. Mauritius is well-equipped to inform its people about forth-coming disasters like cyclones, tsunami, heavy rainfall, etc. The meteorological station uses the latest technologies to make accurate predictions of weather in Mauritius and its surrounding, the meteorologists have international degrees and keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the field by attending workshops and seminars regularly. After the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake which resulted in a tsunami leaving 230,000 people dead and/or missing, the UNESCO helped to set up the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System in which 25 seismographic stations relay information to 26 national tsunami information centers, as well as three deep-ocean sensors. This system will warn the inhabitants of nations bordering the Indian Ocean of approaching tsunamis within a reasonable delay. The telecommunication systems in Mauritius is the first in terms of coverage for the African region and among the most developed ones in the Indian Ocean. This means that important messages can spread rapidly thoughout the island within minutes. Most people have a mobile phone through which they can receive messages and many listen to the radio while at work in unconventional places (sea, far away places, forests, etc). World Solidarity Fund created by the United Nations. The food crisis is something the Government of Mauritius should take very seriously. Last year itself, we had seen the tip of the ice-berg where there was a significant increase in the rise the prices of food such as cereals and milk on the International market. This is bound to happen again. It is possible that the Government has already foreseen the impending disaster, this is why, farmers are being given all types of facilities to extend their agricultural business. Food is our primary need. If this basic need is not fulfilled, no country in the word can expect any development. Most of our basic foods like rice and flour are imported from

China. China has an ever-growing population just like India. India has already ban imports of certain basic food commodities because demand is so high even locally. Imagine China doing the same, this will inevitably create a food crisis in Mauritius and in many other countries who are heavily dependent upon China for their basic foods. This can create a havoc of unprecedented nature in Mauritius.