BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland Ocean Cluster, with the aim to drive innovation, reduce waste and create greater value from Pacific fisheries.

A statement from FFA said the three-year agreement brings together the two organisations under a shared goal of improving the use of marine resources and strengthening the blue economy.

FFA said the partnership is expected to open opportunities for closer collaboration between the Pacific and North Atlantic regions in seafood innovation, knowledge sharing and sustainable business development.

It said at the centre of the agreement is a strong focus on full utilisation of seafood resources, particularly the untapped potential of tuna by-products in the Pacific.

FFA said identifying new uses for fish parts that are often discarded or underutilised will support sustainable practices while creating new economic opportunities for Pacific communities.

FFA Communications Officer Pricilla Ragu confirmed to Island Sun that the MoU signing was held online on April 7, 2026.

FFA Director General Noan David Pakop said the partnership will help to connect ocean regions, people and ideas to deliver practical benefits.

“This partnership is about connecting ocean regions, people and ideas in ways that can create practical benefits for communities and the seafood sector,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The Western Province Health and Medical Services has activated its Disaster Health Response Team as of Wednesday, stepping up efforts to maintain critical health services in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Maila.

Director of Health and Medical Services, Dickson Boara, confirmed that the team has already convened twice on Wednesday and again yesterday to coordinate response strategies amid ongoing adverse conditions.

He said discussions have largely focused on ensuring the safety of health workers while maintaining the continuity of essential medical services despite the impact of the cyclone.

Boara said all hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and support personnel, are continuing their duties safely, although some have faced significant challenges.

“We know that some staff faced extreme danger. Their houses are partly damaged, while others are exposed to hazards such as rising sea levels, fallen trees, and landslides.

“In light of this, we have advised staff to either remain at the hospital or stay in their homes with extra precautions in place,” he said.

Boara also confirmed that Gizo Hospital is currently operating under Emergency Mode, with priority given to urgent and life-threatening cases.

“All staff are on standby to respond to cases 24/7,” he said.

Boara said patients with minor health concerns can still access services at the hospital, with on-call doctors available to attend to their needs.

The activation of the Disaster Health Response Team marks a critical step to ensure that health services remain accessible as Western Province continues to recover from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Maila.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Director of Western Province’s Health and Medical Services, Dickson Boara, urges communities across the province to prioritise post-disaster planning to prevent the spread of diseases following recent natural disasters.

He stressed that maintaining good health practices after a disaster is critical, warning that poor conditions often lead to a rise in illnesses such as malaria and diarrhoea.

“Health is very important, and preventive measures are paramount during this time,” Boara said.

He said contaminated water sources are a major concern after disasters, often leading to diarrhoeal diseases.

Boara strongly advise communities to boil all drinking water to ensure it is safe for consumption as a precaution.

He also said that Malaria is a growing issue in the aftermath of disasters, with cases already reported to be high in some areas.

Boara encouraged residents to stay warm and consistently sleep under mosquito nets to reduce the risk of infection.

He called on people to make safety a priority in all aspects of daily life as recovery efforts continue.

Mr Boara advised contacting the health advice line on 60906 for support.

“For those requiring medical guidance, especially individuals with long-term or chronic conditions, call 60906.

“People who seek health and medical services can also call this number and our experts will be there to help,” he said.

Boara said health issues such as malaria and diarrhoea commonly increase after natural disasters making preparedness and preventive action essential for community wellbeing.

He said his office will continue to monitor the situation closely while working to support affected communities across Western Province.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A fragile calm has returned to Gizo, but for many residents, the morning light revealed a heartbreaking scene, one that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Families woke up to find parts of their homes damaged, fruit trees ripped from the ground, and debris scattered across once-familiar surroundings after a long and terrifying night as Tropical Cyclone Maila tore through the island.

What stood the day before as places of comfort and livelihood now bore the scars of nature’s fury.

The cyclone began its assault at around 2pm on Wednesday, lashing the small island with relentless winds that continued into yesterday morning.

For hours, fear gripped communities as roofs rattled, trees snapped, and the sound of the wind drowned out all else.

Those most exposed to the powerful winds had no choice but to flee.

Families hurriedly evacuated to safer grounds, seeking shelter at the Seventh Day Adventist Church Hall and Gizo Primary School.

In the chaos, one family from a nearby island beside Nusatupe made a desperate journey to Gizo just before the cyclone struck, escaping what could have been a far worse fate.

At the busy MSG building, market vendors abandoned their stalls and ran for safety, eventually finding refuge inside the M.V Fair Queen.

Others, like residents of Paeloge, moved inland under dark skies, taking shelter in a small village at Mile Six, unsure of what they would return to.

When the winds finally eased, silence slowly replaced the roar of the storm.

By late afternoon, a sense of normalcy began to creep back into the town, but it was a different kind of normal.

Across Gizo, people emerged cautiously, surveying the damage with heavy hearts.

Yet amid the destruction, a quiet resilience began to shine through.

Neighbours checked on one another. Families gathered what remained.

And slowly, piece by piece, residents began the difficult task of rebuilding, patching broken roofs, clearing fallen trees, and restoring a sense of home.

Though the scars of Cyclone Maila remain visible, so too does the strength of the people of Gizo, standing together, determined to recover, and holding on to hope after a night that tested them all.

Photo credit: Ben Bilua

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Health and education services across Western Province have been severely disrupted as Tropical Cyclone Maila left behind a trail of chao in communities.

Schools and clinics have been forced to close following widespread damage caused by the powerful system, raising concerns about access to essential services in affected areas.

Gizo Primary School has remained closed since last week as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students amid strong winds and hazardous conditions.

Rural health clinics have also been significantly affected, with reports confirming both partial and complete destruction of facilities.

Director of Western Province Health and Medical Services, Dickson Boara, said damage assessments from rural areas indicate serious impacts on health infrastructure.

“Clinic at Tubi lost its roofing. The clinic’s roof was blown away when the cyclone reached its peak earlier this week,” he said.

Boara said Ugele clinic was also destroyed after being inundated by seawater during the height of the cyclone.

Communication with health workers in remote communities has been a major challenge, with some nurses still unreachable due to damaged communication networks.

Boara has called on community leaders to support frontline health workers during this difficult time.

“These nurses are delivering services to all people of Western Province under very challenging conditions. Health is important and we must support them to ensure services continue,” he said.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as efforts to restore services and assess further damage remain ongoing.

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