BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
UNICEF Solomon Islands needs over US$ 4.3 million to urgently provide essential supplies and life-saving support to children and families affected by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Maila.
UNICEF Solomon Islands Field Office OIC, Michael Copland, highlighted this yesterday during a media briefing on UNICEF’s humanitarian response following TC Maila
He said that UNICEF allocated approximately US$ 300,000 in humanitarian response to communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila in the Western and Choiseul provinces.
TC Maila caused widespread destruction across Western and Choiseul provinces, with additional impacts in parts of Isabel Province.
The media briefing was led by Mr Copland, alongside heads of divisions of UNICEF.
According to UNICEF Report-two, Maila affected an estimated 150,000 people across 161 communities, with the most severe impacts in Western and Choiseul Provinces, and additional impacts reported in Guadalcanal and Isabel provinces.
Based on the report, UNICEF has received US$ 150,000 through the Today & Tomorrow Initiative, a parametric insurance-based financing mechanism and has reallocated US$ 80,000 from funds received through the Cyprus government.
The report highlights that Education services remain significantly disrupted, with 84 schools affected, including 16 schools currently unusable, impacting learning for approximately 11,194 children.
It further identified that 17 schools remain closed, while 67 schools have resumed classes. UNICEF education support is prioritising severely damaged schools and those serving as evacuation centres to establish temporary learning spaces.
The report highlights that UNICEF WASH assistance is supporting affected households and contributing to the rehabilitation of services in 16 closed schools and 11 health facilities, reducing public health risks.
UNICEF’s current response is expected to directly support approximately 8,000–10,000 people, including 2,500–3,000 children, through life-saving assistance in WASH, health, nutrition, education and child protection.
It adds that UNICEF support to 21 damaged or partially non-functional health facilities is expected to strengthen the delivery of essential services for an estimated catchment population of 12,000–15,000 people, including pregnant women and young children, most at risk.
Photo credit: John Houanihau
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