BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Four communities in the Solomon Islands have received Disaster and Climate Risk Emergency Kits from Oxfam.
The recipients are Sukiki and Komuvaolu in Guadalcanal Province, and Buma and Ailau villages in Malaita Province.
These communities are part of the Oxfam Disaster READY Project, which also include eight additional communities in Central and Temotu provinces.
Sukiki and Komuvaolu received their kits between February 23–27 during a joint visit by Oxfam and the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS).
Buma and Ailau received theirs from March 4–9, with representatives from the National Disability Forum Solomon Islands and the West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) participating in the visit.
This support is provided under the Disaster READY Project, funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP).
The emergency kits are designed to help Village Disaster and Climate Risk Committees (VDCRCs) fulfill their roles in disaster preparedness and response.
During the handover ceremony in Sukiki, the VDCRC Chairman expressed gratitude to Oxfam for the support.
“The emergency kit is essential for the work our committee do in the community. We do not want our VDCRC to become inactive. We want to be proactive, and this kit will motivate us to continue our work,” he said.
The chairpersons of Buma and Ailau VDCRCs shared a similar sentiment, emphasising the importance of working together.
“Disaster is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
As part of the project activities, communities also conducted simulation exercises and awareness sessions to highlight the importance of regular drills.
Sukiki carried out a full simulation exercise, while Komuvaolu, Buma, and Ailau completed tabletop exercises.
Community members showed strong interest and participation, expressing their desire for more exercises led by their VDCRCs in the future.
During the visits, the teams also facilitated reviews of community disaster plans and action plans, promoted disability inclusion in disaster risk reduction, and conducted further simulation exercises to strengthen local preparedness.
Photo: Supplied
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