BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The National Disaster Management office under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology has received four new drones from the Australian Government to strengthen disaster assessment and emergency response efforts across the country.
The handover ceremony was held at the Aola Patrol Boat Base in Honiara on Wednesday, February 18, marking a significant step towards improving post-disaster operations.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, David Hiriasia expressed appreciation for the assistance, saying the new drone will enhance the government’s ability to conduct rapid and accurate assessments following disasters.
“On behalf of the Minister, we sincerely appreciate the support from the Australian Government. As technology advances, we must also improve the way we assess and respond to disasters. These drones will help us do exactly that,” he said.
He said that delayed assessments often slow down emergency responses, as authorities must verify reports from affected communities before mobilising resources.
“The drones will allow teams to quickly gather real-time aerial data, enabling faster and more informed decision-making,” Hiriasia said.
He said that the equipment will not only benefit the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), but will support a whole-of-government approach to disaster management.
“When we talk about disaster, it is not just one office, it involves all government sectors. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for technical assessments related to agriculture under the national disaster plan. These drones will assist all relevant sectors to carry out their mandates effectively,” he said.
He also noted that the donation reflects the strong and ongoing partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and Australia, particularly in areas such as climate change and meteorology, which are critical for early warning services.
The new drones are expected to improve data collection, strengthen coordination among agencies, and ultimately ensure assistance reaches affected communities more quickly and efficiently.
The ministry acknowledges the Australian Government and its people for their continued support in building national capacity to respond to disasters and climate-related challenges.
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