BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Livelihood Committee under the Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee is yet to deliver the final load of food supplies to communities in Ranogga and Simbo due to transportation challenges.
Chairperson of the Livelihood Committee, Sipuru Rove, said the committee is currently waiting for a suitable ship hired under the disaster office to transport the supplies.
“All the ships that were hired are having mechanical issues. This is one of the challenges we faced at the moment,” he said.
Rove explained that although small boats can be used, the committee considers it too risky because of the high swells along the northern side of Ranogga and Simbo.
He said the committee does not want to risk losing the food supplies at sea and believes larger vessels are the safest option for the delivery.
“This will be the last load of food supplies that will be distributed to the communities, then we will wait for the next phase, that is the recovery process,” Rove said.
He added that the recovery process will be handled by other committees, while his team remains ready to provide support when required.
Rove also said that the committee has distributed seedlings and other planting materials to affected communities, accompanied by basic training to assist people in replanting their food gardens.
He said the overall response operation has been progressing well, although there are still lessons to be learned for future disaster responses.
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