BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Livelihood Sector Committee is awaiting direction from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) before it rolls out its response to assist communities affected by the Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The committee was activated following the NEOC’s activation on Saturday, 4th April.

Its primary focus is to ensure food security and support livelihood activities in affected communities.

Speaking at a press conference over the weekend, Chairman of the Livelihood Sector Committee, Michael Ho’ota, said the committee comprises of key government ministries, including Forestry, Fisheries, Commerce, and Tourism, working together to coordinate response efforts across sectors.

Ho’ota explained that while a full Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) is planned, the immediate priority is the delivery of food relief to the most affected communities.

He said the IDA is critical to determine the extent of the damage and identify appropriate support, but its rollout will depend on improvements in current weather conditions.

The chairman added that initial assistance will prioritise severely affected areas in Choiseul province and Western province, while also taking into account the needs of other impacted provinces.

Ho’ota further confirmed that the committee has finalised its response plan and submitted it to the NEOC, and is now awaiting approval to begin implementation.

Photo credit: MALD

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Western Province Health and Medical Services appeals to communities to support nurses as they strive to maintain essential health services following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

Director of Health and Medical Services, Dickson Boara, made the call after reports confirmed that several rural clinics were damaged during the cyclone, disrupting service delivery in affected areas.

He said two clinics were severely impacted, leaving communities without proper access to healthcare.

“We have received reports that the roof of Tubi Clinic was blown away, while rising sea levels flooded Ugele Clinic during the bad weather,” Boara said.

He said health services in these areas are currently being carried out through home visits until further notice due to the damage.

Boara said community plays an important role in ensuring that healthcare services continue despite the challenges.

He urges community leaders and residents to support nurses working in the affected areas as some health workers were also victims of the cyclone.

“We must understand that some of these nurses are from other provinces, meaning they do not have food gardens. It is important for communities to assist them with local food and other basic needs as they rebuild their lives,” Boara said.

He reassured the public that efforts are being made to continue delivering health services in rural areas, but this will depend on the safety of both nurses and patients.

He said nurses will continue to attend to emergency cases through home visits while the situation improves.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to assess the extent of damage across the province as recovery efforts gradually progress in Gizo and surrounding communities.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The National Disaster Council (NDC) has assured communities affected by the recent category 5 Tropical Cyclone Maila that assistance is on the way.

The relief supplies will be dispatched to affected areas in Western and Choiseul provinces, as well as other impacted communities across the country, as long as weather permits.

The assurance was made by NDC Chairman, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), David Hiriasia, who said efforts are underway to deliver support as quickly as possible.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday over the weekend, he said cabinet has recently approved an SBD $10 million funding for the response. 

The funding will support the procurement of food relief supplies and cover operational costs for Provincial Emergency Operations Centres, enabling them to respond swiftly to the immediate needs of affected communities.

Hiriasia clarified that the SBD $10 million is an initial allocation for immediate relief, with additional support expected once damage assessments are completed.

He added that following the declaration of a state of disaster for Choiseul and Western provinces by the Minister for MECDM, Trevor Manemahaga, on Friday night, the NDC has assumed control of disaster response operations in the affected areas.

This action is in line with the Disaster Management Plan 2018, which outlines response arrangements for officially declared disaster areas.

The Chairman also acknowledged that other provinces, including Isabel, Central Islands, and Guadalcanal, have been impacted.

While response efforts will be extended to all affected areas, these provinces will remain non-declared unless the NDC determines that a formal declaration is necessary.

Hiriasia emphasised that the response is a whole-of-government effort and expressed appreciation to NGOs and development partners who have already begun supporting the government’s response to Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The chair said the NDC plans to deploy a team to Western province early this week to support the Provincial Disaster Operations Centre with manpower to distribute relief supplies.

He further stressed the need for accurate data to guide response efforts, identify priority areas, and coordinate support from development partners and individuals willing to assist.

Hiriasia reassured affected communities to remain patient as assistance is being mobilised.

Since the weekend, Tropical Cyclone Maila has been moving away from Solomon Islands waters and towards Papua New Guinea. However, people are urged to continue listening to weather updates and to take heed of weather warnings.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

An NZDF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft on Friday afternoon last week conducted aerial assessment of the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Curr in a statement said the aerial damage surveillance flight was requested by the Solomon Islands Government.

Mr Curr said that early reports indicate that Western and Choiseul Provinces have sustained the worst damage in 20 years.

“As a member of our Pacific family, we are committed to supporting Solomon Islands in its time of need, working closely with Pacific Islands Forum partners such as Australia.

“The P8 conduct its tasking and will return before Tropical Cyclone Vaianu arrives in New Zealand later this weekend,” he said.

Mr Curr said New Zealand’s High Commission in Honiara will also offer emergency funding to support local response efforts, and will consider further support, as requested by the Solomon Islands government.

“Today’s (Friday 10) aerial damage surveillance flight is the result of excellent collaboration between New Zealand and Australia under the leadership of the Solomon Islands Government,” said Mr Curr.

The High Commissioner also expressed New Zealand’s concern for all Solomon Islanders affected by the devastation brought by TC Maila. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are especially with those who have been injured, and those who have lost their homes and livelihoods,” said Mr Curr.

Photo credit: NZ High Commission

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management (MECDM) Trevor Manemahaga on Friday evening, 10 April declared Western and Choiseul Provinces to be in a state of disaster.

In his address on that evening, he said over the past days Tropical Cyclone Maila has brought severe weather conditions across Solomon Islands, with the inclusion of strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and rough seas.

“These conditions have significantly impacted several provinces, particularly Western Province and Choiseul Province, with reports indicating damage to homes, food gardens, community infrastructure and disruption to essential services,” said Manemahaga.

He said in accordance with the National Disaster Council Act 1989, the Initial Situational Overview Report (ISO) serves as the prerequisite assessment required to determine whether conditions meet the threshold for the declaration of a State of Disaster.

The Minister said the ISO, compiled through reports and assessments coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office and endorsed by the National Disaster Council, was formally presented to him for consideration.

And after having carefully reviewed the Initial Situational Overview Report and from the advice of the National Disaster Council, he was satisfied that the impacts experienced in Western Province and Choiseul Province meet the criteria required under Section 12 of the National Disaster Council Act 1989.

“Under the provisions of Section 12(1) of the Act, the Minister may, on the advice of the National Disaster Council, declare the whole or any part of Solomon Islands to be in a State of Disaster if satisfied that such conditions exist.

“Accordingly, I have signed the Order declaring Western Province and Choiseul Province to be in a State of Disaster,” he said.

Manemahaga said this declaration has been made to enable the Government to mobilise the necessary national resources and support mechanisms to respond to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila.

He said that with this declaration, the national disaster management arrangements under the National Disaster Management Plan 2018 are hereby activated, and these arrangements will take the lead in coordinating and delivering the national response to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila in the declared areas.

Manemahaga also acknowledged that parts of Isabel Central, and Guadalcanal Provinces have also experienced impacts from Tropical Cyclone Maila.

“While these areas are currently categorised as non-declared disaster areas, they will continue to be included within the national response arrangements, and further assessments will be conducted to determine the extent of damages and the support required,” he said.

Manemahaga also called for a well-coordinated national response involving all relevant stakeholders.

He said this includes national government ministries and agencies, provincial governments and authorities, Solomon Islands bilateral and multilateral development partners and international and national humanitarian and partner organisations.

Manemahaga pointed out that working together in a coordinated manner will ensure that relief assistance, assessments and recovery support reach affected communities effectively and without delay.

He said the Government remains committed to supporting all affected communities and ensuring that the necessary assistance is delivered in a timely and coordinated manner.

The Minister encourages all citizens, especially those in affected areas, to remain vigilant, take heed official advisories, and to cooperate with response teams as they undertake assessments and deliver assistance.

“Let us continue to stand together during this time and support our communities as we respond to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WOMEN from Paeloge and Saeragi communities are facing daily hardship after a key bridge linking their villages to Gizo was destroyed by severe Tropical Cyclone Maila.

With road access cut off, women are now forced to walk long distances to sell their produce at the Gizo Market, carrying heavy loads on their backs in order to support their families.

Island Sun met Mrs. Liuda Lagi at the Gizo Market last week, where she was selling fresh root crops, including cassava and potatoes.

She said that she was among a group of women who woke as early as 3am to begin their journey on foot from their village.

“We walk from our village up to mile six and then down to Gizo. We carry our produce on our backs because vehicles cannot reach us. The road and bridge are badly damaged,” Lagi said.

She said the journey is both physically exhausting and time-consuming, but necessary for survival.

“We have no choice but to walk long distances to reach the market and walk back home. We need to support our family, so our sacrifice is for our family,” Lagi said.

She said the impact of the cyclone has made an already difficult situation worse, particularly for women who rely heavily on market sales as their main source of income.

“Most families in our village depend on the market to pay school fees and meet household needs,” Lagi said.

She calls on responsible authorities to prioritise repairing the damaged bridge and road access so that transportation can resume.

The destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila continues to present serious challenges for communities across Western Province, with many families striving to rebuild their lives with limited resources.

Photo credit: Ben Bilua

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

NEOC dispatches first team to Western province to coordinate relief efforts

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) officially begun its field operations for the current emergency response, having dispatched its first team of officials from Honiara to Western province at around 3pm yesterday.

In a statement, NEOC said the primary objective of this initial deployment is to establish a strong logistics and coordination framework to support communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

NEOC said the team has been tasked with setting up a strategic staging area and securing storage facilities for essential relief supplies, including both food and non-food items (NFIs).

The NEOC officials will also focus on strengthening local response capabilities.

NEOC said a key component of their mission is to establish a dedicated coordination centre designed to provide direct support to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) in Gizo.

“This collaboration ensures that relief efforts are streamlined and that resources are managed efficiently at the provincial level,” said NEOC.

NEOC highlighted that this deployment marks a critical step in the national response, ensuring that necessary infrastructure is in place to receive and distribute life-saving supplies to those in need.

The team was airlifted by a Royal Australian Air Force Hercules aircraft.

Photo credit: NEOC

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY TONY IROGA

For this first time in Solomon Islands sports history, four locals joined the Hype Pacific All Stars team and participated in the Easter Hockey Heritage Tournament campaign in New Zealand.

The Hype Pacific All-stars team finished in 4th spot in the 11 aside Heritage Hockey Tournament during an Easter session campaign.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday after their arrival in the country, hockey team captain, Enock Mae said it was a historical start for them to play in a 11 aside hockey tournament.

“We used to play in the Pacific region, in the pacific cup and Pacific games but this is the first time for us to join the international team,” he said.

Mae said he found this sport very useful for young people, highlighting that it was also an opportunity for them to showcase their skills and talents.

“I am fortunate to be able to play in this heritage hockey tournament,” he said.

He said the tournament was a blessing for them as they were able to do something they have never done before; playing hockey overseas.

He mentioned that the tournament was for the Pacific All-Star team, which comprised of players from Pacific Island countries.

“Vanuatu, Samoa and PNG were not able to play in this tournament due to financial difficulties.

He said hopefully, they will be able to join the team and will be playing against players from Fiji and some players from New Zealand.

Mae said it was after the Pacific Cup that he met Brett Liver from NZ Heritage, who then contacted him.

“I considered this opportunity to be very important,” he said.

He also thanks their coach Joachim Rande and others, who continue to support them and provide training for them.

“I would like to thank my team mates for representing Solomon Islands as good ambassadors.

“It’s a totally different level of game, in terms of intensity and high level of how to do things and we have improved a lot and it is an eye-opener for us,” he said.

He added that they have gained a lot of knowledge about the 11 aside game and they will teach the game to hockey athletes in the country.

“We will prepare and work hard for the next tournament in 2027 as the tournament is set for every year,” he said.

Mae said the competition was supported by New Zealand hockey legend, Mr Brett Leaver and he acknowledged him for creating such an incredible opportunity for Pacific athletes.

Speaking to the paper yesterday as well was hockey coach and coordinator Mr Jochim Rande who thanked the boys for representing the country.

He said the boys brought in a lot of motivation to local hockey athletes in the Solomon Islands.

“I welcome the boys’ home and hope the boys had a lot of good experience with international teams,” he said.

He said the Solomon Islands hockey federation has a new initiative with Heritage teams in which hockey boys will have a lot of opportunities from in the future.

The Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF) thanked and welcomed back its six ambassadors’ home after they proudly represented Solomon Islands on the international stage. 

The four local hockey players are; Nyrick Zuna of Dolphin Hockey Club, Ricky Fairamoa and Jackson Ramo of Renegades Hockey Club, and Enock Mae Paekera of White Kovara Hockey Club.

Photo credit: Tony Iroga

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]