AUSTRALIA’S Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brett Mason, on Friday announced his country will provide an additional AUD$2 million to assist ongoing recovery efforts following April’s devastating floods here.
The disaster claimed 23 lives, displaced thousands and inflicted widespread damage to local infrastructure, including critical bridges and roads.
Senator Mason made the announcement while delivering a keynote address to business leaders and Solomon Islands Government ministers at the Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane.
“I visited Solomon Islands days after the disaster and saw firsthand how Australian support was helping to relieve suffering and contribute to the repair of essential infrastructure,” said Senator Mason.
“Now we want to support Solomon Islanders recovery from the economic impact of the floods by helping to restore commercial activity in Honiara and surrounding areas.”
The further $2 million will contribute to the repair of flood-damaged roads and bridges in Honiara and across Guadalcanal Province.
Funds will be delivered through the Solomon Islands National Transport Fund and bring Australia’s total financial support for the flood recovery effort to AUD$7 million.
Australia provided initial emergency relief in April, followed by early recovery assistance including medical, water and sanitation, shelter and livelihoods support.