BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
MEMBER of the Western Provincial Assembly for Nusa Simbo (Ward 3), Gideon Tuke, has stepped in to provide fresh vegetables to households in Simbo in an effort to improve nutrition following the recent cyclone.
Tuke purchased fresh vegetables, beans, and coconuts from Gizo Market and nearby islands before arranging transport to Simbo for distribution to communities.
He said the initiative aims to supplement the diets of residents who have largely been surviving on rice, canned tuna, and noodles since the disaster.
“While I highly acknowledge the food supplies that were distributed to my people, I am concerned that the consistent diet poses health risks.
“Households are eating rice, taiyo and noodles every meal, and this is something that I would like to change. My people also need fresh vegetables and other root crops to supplement their normal diets,” Tuke said.
He said the recent severe cyclone not only damaged infrastructure but also destroyed nearly all food gardens and vegetation on the island.
“There is no green zone in Simbo. All you can see is brown. All the gardens and vegetables are gone,” Tuke said.
He adds that even local edible crops such as ferns have been wiped out, leaving communities with limited access to fresh food.
Tuke said people in Simbo are in urgent need of vegetables and root crops to restore balanced diets and maintain good health.
“I only hope that our sister islands that were not affected by the cyclone can assist us with local foods—especially vegetables, eggplants, ferns, pumpkin, and dry coconut,” he said.
Tuke said longer-term nutritional support is equally important for the wellbeing of affected communities.
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