Malaita provincial disaster office activates El Nino preparedness plan in light of increasing reports in all regions of prolonged lack of rain
BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The impacts of El Niño are being felt by communities across Malaita Province, especially water shortage and hotter than usual day temperatures.
This was confirmed by Director of the Malaita Provincial Disaster Office, Pearson Simi yesterday saying they have been receiving reports from communities in the province facing water shortage.
He said an activation of the El Niño watch has also been done, and they are prepared.
“As we have known, the head authority activated the El Niño watch last week, so our provinces should now activate our preparedness for any severe impacts faced by our people.
“In Malaita Province, we activated our watch last week, and now we are monitoring the situation.
“So right now, many reports have been received from communities like Malu’u, Kwara’ae, Langalanga, South Malaita, and even Dai Island. So, it’s like almost all our people are now experiencing the El Niño impacts,” he said.
He added that very soon an assessment team will be deployed to the affected areas for site assessment.
Meanwhile, he said the only hindrance that will delay their plans is the issue of funding.
He stated that preparedness and response, including the deployment of the assessment team to the affected communities, will depend on the green light from their donor partners.
“The Disaster Office only has the role of monitoring and coordinating. So, deployment and response must depend on our donor partners,” he said.
He urges communities to prepare on their own and use their water wisely as they monitor the impacts.
“We are just experiencing the impacts of El Niño, so I kindly urge all of us to preserve and use the water we have wisely. This is because we don’t know when this will end,” he said.
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