By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Disaster Office in Malaita Province has activated its El Niño preparedness and watch since last week after receiving reports of El Niño impacts in the province.
The office urges the people of Malaita Province to start preserving the little water they have, as the impacts of El Niño are just surfacing and being experienced by an increasing number of areas in the province.
Speaking to this paper, Pearson Simi from the Disaster Office in Auki said the office has been aware and ready to respond to any severe impacts faced by the people, with support from their stakeholders and partners, as well as the provincial government.
He said his office has received multiple reports from people around the province who are facing the impacts of El Niño since last week.
“We have activated our preparedness for any impacts of El Niño since we have received reports from people who are now facing the effects.
“So, I just want to urge us to start preserving the little water that we have and to be ready once this situation lasts longer,” he said.
He said almost every corner of the province has experienced the impacts of El Niño, especially regarding water shortages.
He said they have set up an assessment team to evaluate the areas currently facing the effects of El Niño and will deploy it soon.
“We have set up a team that we will send to conduct assessments in the affected areas. The team will include the RWash team, the Health team, and a livelihood group that deals with gardening, such as agriculture,” he said.
He added that the deployment of the assessment team to the affected areas will happen very soon, as they have received the green light from their supporting donors.
The paper understands that health centers and schools will close if El Niño continues for more months.
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