A CATHOLIC community of more than 300 settlers in the Henderson area of east Honiara say their homes and food gardens have been severely affected by the current bad weather.
And leaders of Rurete community, which was made up mostly of settlers from Wagina in Choiseul, wanted the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to urgently attend to their plight.
They say more than 20 small leaf houses were badly affected, as well as their food garden, during Tuesday heavy rain, which continued on yesterday.
Rurete Community vice chairman John Babera told the Solomon Star yesterday they were already displaced.
“We have reported our matter with evidence to NDMO yesterday and the response we get from them was quite negative,” he claimed.
“We were told that they cannot do anything at the moment until they thoroughly assess the damage,” Mr Babera added.
“While we agree that they can assess our damages they have to do it quickly because with what we are experience now, we cannot wait for another week.”
Rurete Secretary Veronica Ramolelea, speaking on behalf of the women and children, said what they need now are foods, clothing, and other essential needs.
“If NDMO continues to prolong their assessment our women and children will be affected,” she said.
“It’s true we have our children and some men working in Honiara but we cannot survive on them alone because we do also have big population.
“We cannot depend on their salaries because they also have their hands tied up to their personal needs,” Ms Ramolelea said.
She added that all they need now are urgent basic supplies to keep them going.
Meanwhile, Mr Babera appeals to their relatives, churches and other organisation in Honiara to assist their community in the form of food, clothing or money.
They have a well established community group set up to deal with their disaster.
Comments are being sought from the NDMO office.
By ANDREW FANASIA
