BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Three men from Wagina who were reported missing earlier this week have been found safe.

Choiseul Provincial Police confirmed to Island Sun yesterday that the trio had safely reached Kia in Isabel Province after going missing on Sunday.

Police said the men had run out of fuel while returning to their village from Crocodile Passage, leaving them stranded at sea during a period of bad weather linked to Cyclone Maila.

A police spokesperson said confirmation of their safety came through the Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Wagina Ward, who had been in contact with a woman accommodating the three men in Kia.

“I can confirm that the three people are now safe. The MPA for Wagina Ward spoke with the woman accommodating them on Thursday,” the police spokesperson said.

Information shared through the Taro Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Weather Alerts and Warnings WhatsApp group also indicated that the men had made it safely ashore, with both their boat and engine intact.

Reports further said that the trio are currently staying with relatives in Kia while arrangements are being made for their return home.

The news has been warmly welcomed by families, relatives, and the wider Wagina community, who had been anxiously awaiting updates since the men were first reported missing.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the moment remains fully activated and continues to coordinate the national response to Tropical Cyclone Maila.

A press statement released yesterday said NEOC is actively receiving and analysing impact reports from provinces and the public to support informed decision-making and strategic planning.

On April 8, 2026, NEOC activated the UN Charter as means to gain a clear and consolidated view of the damage in the hardest-hit provinces.

As stated, this activation provides the government access to high-resolution satellite imagery, which is being used to prioritise impact assessments in Western, Choiseul, and Isabel Provinces.

Meanwhile, logistics teams are also working to pre-position essential relief supplies, which include shelter kits and non-food items, in Honiara and throughout the provinces.

The National Disaster Operations Committee (N-DOC) has also been working towards efforts for response to TC Maila having met daily to finalise a Forward Response Plan.

“The plan outlines a coordinated, province-led approach to response operations, including Initial Situation Overviews (ISO), Initial Damage Assessments (IDA), and targeted emergency relief. Priority provinces include Western, Choiseul, Isabel, Guadalcanal, and Central Islands.

“Sector Committees are working closely with provincial authorities to develop detailed response plans aligned with this framework,” the statement said.

Responses from sectors across Government and partners are also being strengthened.

In the health sector, national and provincial emergency operations centres have been fully activated to ensure continuity of essential services and dissemination of critical health information.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has also activated operation centres in Western and Choiseul provinces to support safety and security.

“…while livelihood, education, and other sectors continue to coordinate with provincial counterparts to assess impacts and mobilise support,” the statement said.

There is also support from humanitarian partners including NGOs and the Solomon Islands Red Cross who have also activated emergency operations and are aligning their support with government-led efforts.

Also noted is that relief planning is underway of which partners are preparing to contribute resources, technical assistance and operational support to affected communities.

In regards to the kind of relief support that will be deployed, the statement said based on current assessments, priority humanitarian needs include emergency food and safe drinking water, shelter assistance, hygiene and kitchen kits, as well as support for health services, including mobile clinics and essential medical supplies.

Henceforth, continued coordinated support through all levels of Government, disaster partners and stakeholders under the National Disaster Management Arrangements remain essential to ensure effective and targeted response to Tropical Cyclone Maila.

Key Government ministries in support of the national response have also developed a joint Briefing Paper.

This is being led by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT), the Ministry of Provincial Governance and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), and the Ministry responsible for Disaster Management (MECDM).

The briefing paper will be presented to Cabinet by the Chair of the National Disaster Council (NDC), the Permanent Secretary of MECDM, at Parliament for formal deliberation.

“Discussions will focus on securing and aligning financing arrangements to support the implementation of the Forward Response Plan.

“This coordinated approach reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring timely availability of financial resources to support response operations and the effective delivery of assistance to affected provinces and communities,” the statement said.

Further stated is that NDMO through the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) continues to work closely with all stakeholders to make sure that response to Tropical Cyclone Maila is coordinated, timely and effective whilst also prioritising the needs of those most affected and in vulnerable communities.

The statement said the public is encouraged to use the following toll-free operational lines for assistance.

-SIMS (933) for weather updates

-NEOC (955) for reporting impacts and emergencies

-MRCC (977) for maritime search and rescue

“These services are established to support timely information sharing and coordinated response efforts,” the statement said.

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Solomon Kings FC battles to secure top four spot as OFC Pro League resumes in Fiji tomorrow

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Attention is turning to Round 5 of the OFC Pro League, with Solomon Kings FC facing a crucial set of matches in Suva, Fiji beginning tomorrow.

The Solomon Islands club currently sits fourth on the league table with 15 points and will be aiming to hold on to a top-four position when the competition reaches a decisive stage.

Round 5 will see Solomon Kings FC join South Island United, Vanuatu United FC and Tahiti United in Suva, where all four teams will play three matches across three match days at HFC Bank Stadium.

Kings will open their campaign against Tahiti United on Saturday before facing Vanuatu United and South Island United in the remaining fixtures.

With only five points separating fourth placed Solomon Kings from seventh placed Tahiti United, the race for a place in the top four remains wide open heading into Round 5.

According to the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), the upcoming matches could determine which teams progress to the Leaders Group when the competition splits into two divisions later in the tournament.

“Only five points separate fourth placed Solomon Kings FC from seventh placed Tahiti United, meaning all four clubs in Suva have a chance of finishing in the top half when the dust settles on Round 5,” the OFC media release stated.

Solomon Kings will be eager to regain momentum after dropping points in their previous matches in Honiara, where they collected just one point from two games.

Despite that setback, the Solomon side remains in contention for the top half of the standings and will need strong performances in Fiji to secure their place among the competition’s leading teams.

Meanwhile, Vanuatu United FC arrived with renewed confidence after collecting four points against the league’s top two sides during the previous round.

Their head coach Lars Hopp said the break between rounds allowed the team to reset and refocus.

“We’ve given the players some time away during the break.

“It’s been good to step away from the competition for a few weeks and look at the bigger picture of where we sit,” Hopp said.

Elsewhere, the other four clubs in the competition — Auckland FC, South Melbourne FC, Bula FC and PNG Hekari FC — will play their Round 5 matches at Govind Park in Ba.

Fans across the Pacific will be able to follow the matches live on FIFA’s official streaming platform.

The OFC Pro League is the premier club competition organised by the Oceania Football Confederation, featuring eight clubs from across the Pacific region. After Round 5, the league will split into two groups, with the top four teams forming the Leaders Group while the remaining four enter the Challengers Group for the remainder of the season.

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland Ocean Cluster, with the aim to drive innovation, reduce waste and create greater value from Pacific fisheries.

A statement from FFA said the three-year agreement brings together the two organisations under a shared goal of improving the use of marine resources and strengthening the blue economy.

FFA said the partnership is expected to open opportunities for closer collaboration between the Pacific and North Atlantic regions in seafood innovation, knowledge sharing and sustainable business development.

It said at the centre of the agreement is a strong focus on full utilisation of seafood resources, particularly the untapped potential of tuna by-products in the Pacific.

FFA said identifying new uses for fish parts that are often discarded or underutilised will support sustainable practices while creating new economic opportunities for Pacific communities.

FFA Communications Officer Pricilla Ragu confirmed to Island Sun that the MoU signing was held online on April 7, 2026.

FFA Director General Noan David Pakop said the partnership will help to connect ocean regions, people and ideas to deliver practical benefits.

“This partnership is about connecting ocean regions, people and ideas in ways that can create practical benefits for communities and the seafood sector,” he said.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The Western Province Health and Medical Services has activated its Disaster Health Response Team as of Wednesday, stepping up efforts to maintain critical health services in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Maila.

Director of Health and Medical Services, Dickson Boara, confirmed that the team has already convened twice on Wednesday and again yesterday to coordinate response strategies amid ongoing adverse conditions.

He said discussions have largely focused on ensuring the safety of health workers while maintaining the continuity of essential medical services despite the impact of the cyclone.

Boara said all hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and support personnel, are continuing their duties safely, although some have faced significant challenges.

“We know that some staff faced extreme danger. Their houses are partly damaged, while others are exposed to hazards such as rising sea levels, fallen trees, and landslides.

“In light of this, we have advised staff to either remain at the hospital or stay in their homes with extra precautions in place,” he said.

Boara also confirmed that Gizo Hospital is currently operating under Emergency Mode, with priority given to urgent and life-threatening cases.

“All staff are on standby to respond to cases 24/7,” he said.

Boara said patients with minor health concerns can still access services at the hospital, with on-call doctors available to attend to their needs.

The activation of the Disaster Health Response Team marks a critical step to ensure that health services remain accessible as Western Province continues to recover from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Maila.

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