SI loses estimated USD79m annually in climate-related loss & damage

BY LORETTA B MANELE

Solomon Islands, according to the draft Solomon Islands Climate Loss and Damage Evidence Base Report (MECDM, 2026), is losing an estimated USD79 million every year in climate-related loss and damage.

David Hiba Hiriasia, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology (MECDM) revealed this when he delivered his remarks at the three-day “Solomon Islands Loss and Damage Media Training” at Rock Haven Inn yesterday.

Addressing a number of media professionals representing media organisations at the training facilitated by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with support of the New Zealand Government through the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project, he said the figure (USD79m) is equivalent to 8.69 percent of Solomon Islands GDP annually.

Hiriasia said this is not just an environmental concern but also a national development challenge, a growing economic burden, and a human crisis.

“We saw this clearly in the 2014 Honiara floods. The Post-Disaster Needs Assessment conducted by World Bank documented that in just a matter of days, the event caused USD 107.8 million in damages equivalent to 9.2 percent of GDP.

“Twenty-two lives were lost, more than 50,000 people were affected, and beyond the economic losses, some impacts cannot be measured in dollars,” he said.

Hiriasia said at least five islands have already been permanently lost to sea-level rise, as recorded in the Solomon Islands National Climate Change Policy and supported by scientific studies such as Albert et al. (2016) in Environmental Research Letters.

The Permanent Secretary said for those communities, their histories and sense of place cannot be replaced and these are stories that must be told by the media hence why the role of the media is so critical.

Hiriasia said loss and damage is not just about figures and reports, it is about people, communities, and lived experiences.

“The media has the power to transform statistics into human narratives, to amplify the voices of those on the frontline, and to ensure that the world understands the human dimension of climate change,” he said.

Hiriasia said at the global level, loss and damage has long been a priority for the Pacific.

He mentioned that Vanuatu first raised the issues on behalf of Small Island states in 1991 and since then, the Pacific has worked tirelessly to bring it to the international stage.

Hiriasia said this culminated in the establishment of the Santiago Network in 2019 and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage in 2022.

He said these mechanisms present important opportunities for our region, but our voices must be heard in order to access them.

“And the media is the bridge that carries those voices from our villages and coastlines to the global stage.

“Radio, television, newspapers, and digital platforms are not just channels of communication, they are instruments of change,” he said.

Hiriasia said the media can inspire empathy, mobilise action, and hold leaders accountable in the context of climate change and ensure that lived reality in the Pacific is not ignored but recognised as a warning to the world.

He told the media representatives that their work as journalists, broadcasters, and storytellers is therefore central to national and regional efforts.

“You are not just reporting you are shaping the global narrative of climate justice,” said Hiriasia.

In closing remarks, he said the training builds on the partnership between the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) and SPREP to strengthen our One Pacific Voice.

“I sincerely thank the Government of New Zealand for their financial support through the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity project, which has made this workshop possible.

“I also thank SPREP and MASI for their collaboration. I look forward to seeing powerful content and media stories emerge from your work today. Stories that will not only inform but also inspire, stories that will ensure the lived realities of our people are never ignored,” he said.

The training started yesterday and will conclude on Wednesday.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Twenty-four youths from Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces attended a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on “Climate Policy Awareness, Influencing and Advocacy Strategy” from May 5 – 7 at DD Inn in Honiara.

This training for youths from local Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the Youth Economic and Climate Action (YECA) project was implemented by Plan International Solomon Islands with support from European Union (EU).

Speaking to Island Sun on Tuesday, May 5, Duta Bero, Country Program Manager for Plan International Solomon Islands, said the main objective of the training is for participants to understand climate change policies and strategies.

“And how they can use this knowledge to inform their communities of action plans in which the communities can come up with to progress these policies at the community level,” she said.

Bero said that the YECA project is active in Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces.

Facilitator of the training, Wilson Junior Maeriua said the training is to empower youths in terms of raising their advocacy and influencing their learning in reference to climate advocacy.

“My role is to help them understand what is climate change, what causes climate change and how we can adapt and mitigate in relation to addressing climate change issues,” he said.

Also attended the training was Methodius Iapara, Deputy Director and National Youth Program officer for Youth for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA).

He said the ToT in terms of climate change is important because it affects us in terms of sustainability in terms of livelihood.

“As someone who works with young people, if the youths do not know who they are with the connection of where we live, we will not survive.

“The point is that our food source and our livelihood at sea or land is where we survive and with our context of land ownership, this is our heritage as custodians of our land,” he said.

Iapara said through this training, participants can utilise what their forefathers handed to them through tribal settings.

A participant from Malaita province shared what he thought of the training on the second day of the training.

Lesley Sanga, farm advisor for the Gwaunafiu Organic Farmers School said he learned a lot of things from the training.

“We are here to look at climate change policies and to know what climate change is about and how we can deal with it in our communities,” he said.

Another participant, Nichola Siapu from Mbirao Ward Youth Association at Marau Sound, East Guadalcanal said for her, the training is about learning about climate change and what they can do to overcome or prevent the effects of climate change in their communities.

“I also learned of ways of how we can get the attention of stakeholders like NGOs, government and Members of Parliament,” she said.

Island Sun also spoke with the two YECA project coordinators, Richard Olita, project coordinator for Malaita province and Nixon Tooler, project coordinator for Guadalcanal Province.

Mr Olita said the participants who travelled from Malaita to attend the training are very happy to be at the training.

He said that this is an opportunity that does not come easily for their youths in the province.

“So, this is a boost for community-based organisations. We want to strengthen our communities and have direct engagement with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Tooler said the training aims to increase the voice of youths and women in terms of climate change policy and actions.

“So that they can be more engaged and involved in planning and take action on the impacts of climate change in their communities,” he said.

Throughout the three-day training, participants engaged in discussions, group activities and presentations.

On the first day, Tuesday, May 5, participants focused on “Understanding Climate Change and Policies”, before moving on to “Policy Awareness and Influencing” on the second day and concluded with “Climate Advocacy for Youth and Action Planning” on the last day of the training.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

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BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Sr. Jeanear Nauta has committed her life to serving God after taking her lifelong profession with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, following five years of dedicated service within the organisation.

Sr. Nauta, who hails from West Kwaio in Malaita Province, officially made her profession as a full and permanent member of the society on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Buma Parish.

In an interview, Sr. Nauta said her decision was a response to what she described as God’s calling on her life.

She said the moment was a joyful and fulfilling milestone, having spent years preparing for the commitment.

“From the time I joined the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, I have been preparing for five solid years.

“Receiving my lifelong profession today has enabled me to be a true member of the society,” she said.

Sr. Nauta said she is ready and willing to continue serving God and support those in need through the work of the society.

“I am willing to serve God, to serve the souls of people and the souls of God,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to all those who supported her throughout her journey to full profession.

“I want to thank those who supported me throughout my journey until this day,” she said.

The ceremony was attended by more than 1,000 people, including family members, friends, and supporters who gathered to witness the special occasion.

The event marks a significant milestone not only for Sr. Nauta and her family, but also for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in the Solomon Islands.

According to information gathered, Sr. Nauta is believed to be the first Solomon Islander to formally join and make lifelong profession in the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

The celebration also coincided with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Society at Buma Parish in Malaita Province.

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Charity Sisters celebrated its 15th anniversary since its establishment in Buma Parish, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands.

The congregation, St. Vincent de Paul, originally from Croatia, established its mission in 2011.

The aim of the congregation is to serve the poor, provide evangelization education, pastoral care, and charity for communities. 

The event was in line with the blessing of the first local Solomon Islander to serve the congregation.

Sr. Ruza, who oversees the congregation, during the mass to mark the event said it was a significant milestone for the congregation.

She said that they will look back at their failures and strengthen their roles. 

On the other hand, she welcomes Sr. Jeanear Nauta to join their congregation to serve God.

She also thanks Sr. Jeanear’s family for allowing her to serve and for believing and trusting in their congregation.

“Welcome, Sr. Jeanear, and we thank God and the family members of Sr. Jeanear for their support in making this event a celebration,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Sr. Jeanear’s mother, Fraccina Maegugua, said she has accepted her daughter’s obligation to serve God since she was little. 

She said, on behalf of their family, it was one step forward closer to God. 

“We have accepted what she wants. We have supported her when she was still with us until she joined this congregation of the sisters.

“And we are glad that she wants to serve God. This is God’s call, and God wants her to serve Him,” she said. 

Bishop Jacob Aba, S.M., during the mass of celebration, described the event as one of joy and love. 

He said the love he was referring to is not the love that is selective to a few people, but the love of God.

“The love of God is not the love that you select for a few people or for people who have what you need. It is the love of God that states, ‘Love your neighbors as you love yourself,” he said.

The anniversary celebration was attended by the Bishop of Auki Diocese, Jacob Aba SM, priests, sisters, chiefs, and the people of Buma Parish.

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