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SIWSAP helps Tuwo village with weather data system

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Rachel from Tuwo village in Temotu. Photo from UNDP Solomon Islands.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Rachel from Tuwo village in Temotu. Photo from UNDP Solomon Islands.

UNITED Nation Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Solomon Islands Government to install a new weather data system for the people of Temotu province.

The new weather data system supports the rural people of Tuwo village access accurate information about droughts and extreme weather.

Currently, Temotu is also among islands across Solomon Islands experiencing severe impacts of climate change especially sea-level rise which puts villagers on uncertainty mode.

According to UNDP Solomon Islands, the angry rising sea makes people of Tuwo village face an uncertain future.

UNDP through the Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP), ‘Gud Wata Fo Strongem Komuniti Lo Evritaem’, has worked with the Tuwo village.

During the project, Rachel from Tuwo in Temotu shared experience saying the rising sea-level has made the young generation question their future because currently their homes are being threatened by climate change.

UNDP said the weather data system will help Tuwo adapt to the volatile climate but Rachel and her generation could be the last one to live there because of climate change.

Installing the system will support local fishermen avoid rough seas and help farmers optimise their harvest to avert food crises in the future.

Vulnerable communities like Tuwo may be remote, but now they get regular weather reports that are shaping their water usage and preparedness for climate change, the UNDP said.

The SIWSAP, “Gud Wata Fo Strongem Komuniti Lo Evritaem”, is funded by the GEF-Least Developed Countries Fund and implemented by the Water Resources Division of Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme.

The project aims to improve the resilience of water resources to the impacts of climate change and improve health, sanitation and quality of life so that livelihoods can be enhanced and sustained in the targeted vulnerable areas.

COP23 to draw attention to vulnerable small islands states

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ELLISON VAHI

THE impacts of climate change are already being felt on a global scale, especially on small islands scattered around the oceans.

These vulnerable island nations are planning to make their voices heard at COP23 in Bonn.

With Fiji set to chair the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany later this year, attention is turning to the plight of small island nations and the need to develop sustainable solutions to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Local Governments for Sustainability ICLEI – formerly known as International Council for Local Environmental Issues, is an organization comprised of local governments who have made a commitment to sustainable development. It aims to share knowledge and provide training at a local level, particularly with towns and provinces in small island states.

One of its current projects focuses on developing successful resilience practices on the Solomon Islands, which is already experiencing the effects of sea level rise which Over the last few decades, the country has already lost five small islands to rising waters.

According to statement from Andrew Mua, mayor of the Honiara City Council, with Steve Gawler, the regional director of ICLEI Oceania, during the 2017 Resilient Cities Conference in Bonn about some of the challenges facing the Solomon Islands and how it plans to tackle the issue stated that the Sea level rise is a very big concern for island nations including the Solomon Islands.

“We are slowly losing our beaches and small islands are already sinking underwater and hence are very thankful to ICLEI and other organisations who are helping us to address this issue and prepare our people for the worst to come.”

Speaking of how the ICLEI cooperates with the Solomon Islands in order to implement climate change adaptation strategies Steve Gawler said that coming last year in 2017, his group with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction to conduct a disaster risk self-assessment has come with funds to help them work out how they can deal with disaster, like the flash floods in 2014 as well what lessons were learned and what needs to be put in place so that the city can respond more effectively to another disaster with less loss of life and less damage.

“Interestingly, one of the local partners working with the UN Habitat Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI) was a university based in Melbourne. So the funding came from the UN to local partners for the benefit of Honiara, and we’re still working together on various projects. It’s an example of good international coordination, which doesn’t always happen,” said Steve.

Steve adds that the ICLEI is different from other agencies in the sense that they talk with the local authorities about the issue first and then help bring in those external agencies to start implementing solutions.

He also said that Small islands need to be treated with great respect because they have incredible strengths, such as connected communities, which are the envy of Western developed countries as well they have identified that one of the main strengths of Honiara is the community structure that It’s so strong that ICLEI was actually approached around the past years ago by the Alliance of Small Island States because they represent one party in the climate talks, but their voices are small.

Steve further stressed that the Part of the reason they are working is to see how they can use their global networks to help raise small islands state voices more effectively, so to develop a strategy to go to COP 23 specifically to draw attention to towns and cities on small islands and say to the international community: “You’re forgetting about them”.

“All of the new climate change adaptation frameworks you have developed are not tackling the problems in Honiara, in Suva, in Port of Spain, and many others,” he said.

Climate change a major threat to Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ELLISON VAHI

 GLOBAL sea levels are rising and the world’s land ice is disappearing.

Sea levels have risen 6 to 8 inches in the past 100 years, and Antarctica has been losing more than 100 cubic kilometres of ice per year since 2002, according to NASA satellite data.

It is estimated that by the year 2100, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that sea levels will rise as much as 20 inches.

While rising sea levels ultimately influence the entire planet, they pose the greatest threat to the islands currently residing at sea level.

Solomon Islands as a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of 28,400 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi) is also one of the most vulnerable islands ever debated.

With rising sea level, it is an issue where some still ignore, however is destroying land and the livelihoods of many islanders.

For many small islands residing on low lying islands or atolls, sea level rises have become a major concern, as huge chunks of their coastline in their area are now washed away.

According to a study published in Environmental Research Letters have stated that five of the Islands in the western Pacific have disappeared due to rising sea levels over the past seven decades as well with another six islands there having lost more than 20 percent of their surface area, forcing people to relocate.

A study’s lead author, Simon Albert of the University of Queensland stated also stated that the Sea levels in the Solomon Islands have been climbing by 7 millimetres per year since 1994.

According to his studies Simon Albert said that the human element of this is alarming and whilst said that working alongside people on the frontline who have lost their family homes that they’ve had for four to five generations it’s quite alarming

Be vigilant to transnational crime trends in the Pacific region

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, I was re-reading the excellent report made by Neil Boister, Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2017 and published on line by the USP.

Mr Boaster’s report laid out his thoughts on how he perceived the threat of transnational crime was beginning to pervade the Pacific and what he believe to be the counter measures to contain the threat.

In one of his opening statements he wrote (quote)

“THREAT ASSESSMENT

“The justification for collaborative action in the region is the threat presented by transnational crime to the safety and security of Forum members. In 1992 the Forum considered that if it increased in scale transnational crime could threaten the sovereignty of member states and the stability of the region.

“By 2001, however, the Forum stated that there was ‘clear evidence of serious transnational crime moving into the region and posing serious threats to the sovereignty, security and economic integrity of forum members.’

“These threats included money laundering, terrorist recruitment, identity fraud, West African fraud, people smuggling, issuing passports of convenience, engaging in electronic crimes, small arms trafficking, illegally trading in endangered wildlife, drug trafficking and organised crime.”

It is now 2018 and while the Solomon Islands has been guarded and so far avoided most, if not all, the threats envisaged by Mr. Boister, with the exception, perhaps, of border incursions and illegal trading in wildlife, and excluding the tragic years of the internal conflict know as the ‘Tensions,” the authorities must remain highly vigilant and I will raise just three incidents in the past few days in neighbouring states to highlight my concerns.

It was said the Police in Tonga had seized 58 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of US14.8 million dollars, during an operation in the Ha’apai Islands.

Likewise, the authorities in Fiji seized $US15 million worth of cocaine and ecstacy from a yacht.

“The police and customs authority said the yacht, which last stopped at Bora Bora in French Polynesia, was searched at Denarau last Thursday.

“They found 15 kilograms of cocaine and ecstasy on board, $US15, 000 in undeclared cash, along with guns and ammunition.

Today, Thursday, also in Fiji, the police arrested a foreign national and charged him with bringing a large stack of ammunition into Fiji waters that had been found on his yacht.

It was reported that Fiji Customs Officers had searched yacht and that led to the seizure of a large quantity of mixed ammunition.

Today, economic and environmental concerns must not dominate security precautions and preparedness by the relevant authorities in the Solomon Islands to contain any potential threats that could arise to national sovereignty and security

Yours sincerely

 

Frank Short

Deadly fire leaves children injured and family desperate for help

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, local news reports in the past few days said a family has survived a deadly fire that razed and burned down their house at Kobe village in Ngella, Central province last month.

It seems five people; four kids and their aunt were in the house sleeping when the fire broke out and engulfed the home.

The incident was said to have occurred between 9-10pm in the night and they could not do much because it was dark and the fire was all over the house within minutes.

Ms Wale, an occupant of the house, said they were unaware where, how and why the fire started.

“She said when she realised the fire she quickly got the kids out of the house.

“Ms Wale said because of the heat of the fire one of the kids was severely burnt during the process of escaping from the house.

The house was turned into ruins and ashes.

The kids were immediately referred to National Referral Hospital (NRH) for emergency medical attention.

It is believed most of the children have recovered but one of the younger ones who was injured in the fire is still recovering and under medical observation at the NRH.

It is understood that Empower Pacific, a volunteer group that assist kids at the hospital’s children’s ward, has launched a public appeal to support the four (4) kids that survived the fire and help the victims return to their village.

The group welcomes any help and donations through clothing and household items to support the family rebuild their lives.

Should you wish to help, call Empower Pacific on 30065.

I endorse the appeal launched by the Empower Pacific and, while wishing the four children a speedy and full recovery, I also request that the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society and the community do everything possible to help the stricken family re-build their home and their lives.

Please try to help.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Spectacular cultural dances in MACFest day-2

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Fijian dancers

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

DAY-TWO of the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFest) has seen stunning cultural performances from participating countries.

The main stage event was held at the Melanesian village lakeside where Melanesian countries shared cultural identities through dancing, singing, art and dressing.

There was also performances held at the Art Gallery and the National Auditorium.

Meanwhile on Monday saw an array of other activities including visual arts, traditional and contemporary arts, literary arts and performing arts and workshop.

Exquisite performance from women dancers from Fiji.

A favourite of the public are the Fijian cultural performers, who have stolen hearts by their electrifying presentations of their traditional dances.

The Chair for MACFest and Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Andrew Nihopara said the event reflects true spirit for sharing unity which will connect Melanesians ever more strongly.

He said this festival as well as previous ones provide an avenue for reconnecting, reviving and renewing of commitments to our people and culture.

The MACFest was conceived in 1995 by the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Fijian dancers

The festival takes place every four years with a goal to promote traditional and contemporary arts from the whole of Melanesia.

This year’s event convenes about 2000 artists and performers from PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands.

In 2014, the festival welcomed diaspora Melanesian communities in the provinces of Indonesia, Timor Leste and the Torres Strait Islands of Australia.

This year, Solomon Islands again is restarting the festival cycle throughout the MSG countries under the theme: Past Recollection, Future Connections.

Lovely ladies from Fiji after their performance pose for a group photo. Photos by Lynton Aaron Filia
Fijian cultural group makes a stunning performance.

Man found dead in home

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE body of a young man has been recovered from a home in Katurasele village, South Choiseul, early on Saturday (June 30) morning.

The man had been reported missing earlier on Thursday last week.

Police in Taro could not be reached for comments on Monday.

While the cause of death is yet to be officially established, the registered nurse at the Papara clinic has declared the high possibility of gas asphyxiation, which is attributed to a ‘one-litre petrol found near the body’.

Community members are shocked by the discovery, saying that this is the first to have happened there. Condolences and sympathies are being conveyed to the deceased’s family.

Singapore envoy pays courtesy visit to PM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM receives a book presented as a gift by Mr Matthews.
PM receives a book presented as a gift by Mr Matthews.

SINGAPORE’S ambassador to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Verghese Matthews has paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela today.

Mr Matthews is currently in the country to attend the Solomon Islands 40th anniversary celebrations on behalf of the Singapore Government.

During his brief meeting with the Prime Minister, Matthews has reaffirmed Singapore’s friendship with the Solomon Islands.

“We are friends of the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Matthews has also briefly shared the fascinating story of Singapore’s post-independence era and the challenges and successes Singapore encountered as a nation.

“Singapore had a philosophy that was focused on training its human resources for development,” he said.

The ambassador also assured the Prime Minister of Singapore’s continuous support for pacific island nations at the international level.

Houenipwela in response has welcomed and thanked Matthews for visiting the country.

The Prime Minister also stressed that Singapore’s success story was a fascinating one.

Matthews also presented books to the Prime Minister as gifts.

–OPMC PRESS

Public cautioned on single-use plastics during MACFest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Ezekiel Talatau

PUBLIC are being advised to be mindful with their usage of plastics during the sixth MACFest, so as not to increase pollution.

“While people are enjoying the MACFest, the last thing on their minds might be how to recycle their food containers or where they can put or throw their reusable plastic cups, plates and spoons,” a concerned friend of the city relates to Island Sun.

Authorities are also being reminded of their responsibility to promote an environment friendly festival.

A Senior lecturer and a Researcher from WELTIC New Zealand, Ms Joanna Grimma cautions that activities such as festivals is a contributor in generating large volumes of waste plastics to the country .

“Most plastics uses in festivals are harmful to the wild life, this includes plastic drink bottles, plastic strews, plastic food trays, cables ties and toiletry bottles.”

Solomon Islands is currently battling against single use plastics, and the message is being highlighted amidst the hosting of the prominent Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFest).

Friends Of The City are working together with Honiara City Council (HCC), Ministry of Environment, Climate Changes, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to tackle plastics.

For the MACFest programme, there is no clear knowledge if the responsible authority is taking part with the MACFest organiser to work together and promote to stop use of plastics in the country.

Combining cultural sector with arts brings opportunities: GG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHMIURA PODOKOLO

COMBINING of the cultural sector with the arts, creative ability and capacities will provide our people with economic opportunities, say Governor General Sir Frank Kabui.

“When we combined the cultural sector with the arts and creative ability and capacities, it will provide our people with economic opportunity through the cultural industry such as arts, culturally inspired products, handicrafts, cultural tourism and the intellectual property,” he said.

Kabui explained that using cultural resources and creative capability of the society and people of Melanesia utilises wealth to engage in tangible inspired economic propositions.

“Hence I call on the government’s support and commitment to remain vital in this regards,” he said.

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