Australia has responded to a request for humanitarian assistance from the Solomon Islands Government in the wake of Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila.
An initial AUD1.5 million (SBD8.6 million) will be provided to Solomon Islands in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts, after Prime Minister Manele declared a state of disaster for the provinces of Western and Choiseul on Friday 10 April.
Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft touched down in Honiara on Sunday 12 April carrying Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and humanitarian supplies, including emergency shelters, hygiene kits, lighting solutions and community tents to be deployed in affected areas.
The supplies are destined for a regional assistance hub at Munda established by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). Australian aircraft transported officials from NDMO’s National Emergency Response Team (NERT) on Sunday to Munda to set up the hub.
Australia has worked closely with NDMO to ensure the assistance provided meets Solomon Islands’ immediate needs. Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Jeff Roach, briefed Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Honourable Trevor Manemahaga, at Honiara airport on Sunday as the supplies and personnel arrived.
Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Honourable Jimson Tanangada, and Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Honourable Tozen Leokana, also attended the arrival of the RAAF aircraft.
High Commissioner Roach said Solomon Islands could always rely on Australia to provide support after a disaster struck.
“Sadly, Australians have plenty of experience when it comes to natural disasters, and we know how important it is to get assistance to affected communities as soon as possible.
“I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to respond swiftly to this request for support and that ADF teams are already on the ground in Western and Choiseul provinces, working alongside NDMO teams in a real, practical demonstration of the Solomon Islands-Australia partnership.”
The High Commissioner praised NDMO’s leadership in coordinating the disaster response.
“We’ve seen how hard NDMO is working to deliver urgent assistance to Solomon Islanders who have been impacted by this disaster.”
