NZ to boost aid to flood-ravaged Solomons

Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand’s aid contribution to the Solomon Islands is likely to increase considerably, once the damage caused by devastating floods has been assessed. New Zealand has already contributed NZD$300,000 in immediate aid, and an air force Hercules was to leave for the capital Honiara this morning, with critical aid supplies.…

Pacific Humanitarian team deployed here

The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) has begun deployments to Honiara on Monday in support of the Government’s response to flash floods which have devastated the capital and provinces in the Solomon Islands. Heavy rain from a tropical depression caused severe flooding in Honiara after the Mataniko River burst its banks, washing away homes and bridges.…

Big hope for tourism in PNG

Tourism industry in Papua New Guinea is an alternative to contribute to their national economy in future to replace the unrenewable resources. Senior lecturer of the school of tourism, hospitality and management Hellen Gimbo uttered the statement in an interview. Mrs Gimbo said PNG have massive unrenewable resources such as gold, cooper and the liquefied…

NZ sending help

New Zealand is sending an RNZAF Hercules with emergency relief into the Solomon Islands this morning, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced on Sunday. Tens of thousands of people in and around the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara have been left homeless by flash flooding and heavy rains. Entire communities had been swept away, major access bridges…

Fiji ready to help Solomons

Fiji will stand in unison with and support Solomon Islands following flash floods in the Melanesian nation that have caused severe destruction and death. Last week Solomon Islands faced severe destruction following flash floods which also claimed the lives of 16 people so far. The flash flooding has displaced thousands of her citizens in most…

Natural disaster major threat to Pacific economies

THE relationship between natural disasters and economies was highlighted at the Second Pacific Regional Meeting of Ministers of Energy and Maritime Transport in Nadi.. Fiji’s Minister for Labour Jone Usamate said the cost of these disasters to Pacific economies especially infrastructure is large and often unsustainable. “Unexpected events and natural disasters bring destruction to our…

AUSTRALIA RESPONDS TO SOLOMON ISLANDS FLOODING

Today (Saturday) we announce that Australia will provide $250,000 in emergency relief supplies to assist the Government of Solomon Islands respond to the needs of people affected by flooding. This follows a request for assistance from the Government of Solomon Islands on Saturday. In addition, Australia will provide two Australian Civilian Corps engineers and two…

Energy officials meet in Nadi

SENIOR officials responsible for energy and transport in Pacific Island countries and territories gathered in Nadi, Fiji, Monday to participate in two days of meetings ahead of the Pacific Regional Energy and Transport (Aviation and Maritime) Ministers’ Meeting, which started on Wednesday. The officials’ meeting, organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in…