BY NED GAGAHE
The People’s Republic of China (PRC), China has donated SBD$100,000 to the Shortland Islands Constituency to help ease financial pressures caused by Cyclone Maila, including outstanding school fees for students.
The funding was officially received on July 2, 2026 by the Shortland Islands Constituency Office.
The constituency office in a statement posted on their official Facebook page yesterday said, the donation will be used to partially pay outstanding school fees that were delayed after funds were diverted to assist families affected by Cyclone Maila.
The office said student fee funds had been redirected during the cyclone response to meet urgent humanitarian needs, creating a financial burden that the constituency is now working to address.
The constituency expressed its gratitude to the Chinese Government, thanking Chinese Ambassador Cai Weiming and officials from the Chinese Embassy for responding quickly to its request for assistance.
The constituency office also acknowledged the efforts of embassy staff in processing the funding following an urgent appeal from Constituency Development Officer Bernard Laore on behalf of communities and students affected by the financial impacts of the cyclone.
The official handover was conducted by Chinese Embassy official Chen Jialuo and attended by Constituency Development Officer Bernard Laore and Accountant Officer Victor Bariri.
Member of Parliament for the Shortland Islands, Junior Isikeli Vave, thanked the Government and people of China for the assistance, saying the contribution reflects the strong partnership between China and the Shortland Islands Constituency.
The constituency office said the donation will help reduce the financial burden on affected families while ensuring students can continue their education following the disruptions caused by Cyclone Maila.
Photo credit: Shortland Constituency office
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