Seychellois humanitarian Chrystold Chetty has made history by becoming the first Seychellois nominated for the position of Vice-President for Africa of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). His nomination was accepted by the IFRC Elections Committee and the election is slated to occur during the Federation’s General Assembly at the end of November 2026.
Chetty currently serves as the honorary and founding president of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS), boasting over 37 years of experience within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. He expressed that his candidacy stems from his deep commitment to humanitarian work and his aim to enhance the international movement’s efforts.
Chetty explained that he put himself forward for this role through the RCSS, which subsequently nominated him. He is confident in his ability to contribute positively to the organization. “I was very confident that I can continue to give time for something I have a passion for and for which I think will be for the good of the world in general,” he stated.
While the role is designated for Africa, Chetty emphasized that the responsibilities of the vice-president extend beyond the continent. “I’m going as Vice-President on an African platform, but this doesn’t restrict us to that platform only,” he clarified.
The IFRC plays a vital role in coordinating humanitarian efforts among national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies globally. Chetty’s candidacy comes at a time when humanitarian organizations in Africa are grappling with numerous challenges, including armed conflicts and climate-related disasters.
In his manifesto, titled Together for a Resilient Tomorrow, Chetty has outlined several priorities, including strengthening National Societies of the Red Cross. He aims to enhance their importance and efficacy by ensuring they operate independently and maintain adequate resources for humanitarian assistance.
“For them to be effective, they have to be strong, to have the proper governance system, the proper financial sustainability, the proper resources, so that they can properly help communities in the country,” Chetty explained.
His proposals also call for increased participation from African National Societies in decision-making processes and highlight the need for enhanced safety measures for humanitarian volunteers, who sometimes face violence in conflict zones.
Chetty has actively campaigned for this position over the past several months, engaging with leaders from Red Cross and Red Crescent societies across Africa and beyond. He reported having strong support on the continent and has attended numerous meetings to share his vision.
His election would represent a notable advancement for Seychelles in international humanitarian governance, providing a Seychellois a significant leadership role within the IFRC.
