BY CHARLES STENNETT
The Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) within the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology is currently conducting a workshop with law enforcement officers, provincial government officers and other stakeholders in Kirakira, Makira Ulawa Province.
The training is to enable law enforcement officers take proactive actions in carrying out the enforcement of the single plastic ban Regulation 2023.
A statement from the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government (MUPG), social media said awareness, compliance and enforcement training for all relevant enforcement agencies is to be part of the program.
The training is also to familiarize the enforcement agencies with the new established Environment (Single-Use Plastic Ban) Regulation 2023 and Standard Operating Procedures which is essential to foster an environment for cooperation among the enforcement agencies at the Provincial and National level.
It said since the regulation on Single-Use Plastics came into force, ECD in partnership with other Enforcement agencies have conducted series of Awareness and Enforcements Trainings, and field Monitoring in Provincial Centers including Honiara, Western Province, Choiseul Province and Isabel Province.
The training workshops this year will be conducted in Central Province, Makira-Ulawa Province and Malaita Province.
The Training Workshop pooled in representatives from the Royal Solomon Islands Police force in Kirakira, representatives from the Provincial government, Public/Environment Health Department of the Ministry of Health in the Makira Ulawa Province, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries, National Disaster Management Office in Kirakira and the Public Solicitors office.
– SIPPA mobile clinic to offer free, confidential HIV and syphilis screening three nights a week
BY JOSES SAREN
A nightly mobile clinic offering free HIV and syphilis testing is expected to begin operating in Honiara this Friday as the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) moves to make sexual health services more accessible to communities.
The new outreach service will operate three nights a week, taking HIV and STI testing directly into communities across Honiara.
SIPPA is inviting community-based organisations, including youth groups, community committees and women’s groups, to contact the organisation if they are interested in hosting the mobile clinic.
Specific testing locations will not be publicly disclosed because of privacy, safety and confidentiality considerations.
SIPPA Communications Coordinator Andrea Ma’ahanua said the initiative was designed to remove some of the barriers preventing people, particularly young people, from accessing sexual and reproductive health services during normal daytime hours.
The outreach team will comprise SIPPA volunteers and two dedicated nurses.
“Through the nightly mobile clinics, the team will provide essential information and raise awareness about HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs),” Ms Ma’ahanua said.
She said the main aim was to promote prevention, encourage safer health practices and provide free HIV and STI screening in a safe and confidential environment.
The initiative comes amid concern over the changing pattern of HIV transmission in Solomon Islands, with recent cases increasingly showing generalised transmission rather than being linked to known cases or specific clusters.
As of the end of May 2026, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has recorded 25 new HIV cases in the Solomon Islands, bringing the country’s cumulative total to 104 confirmed cases.
The latest figures mark an increase from the 79 HIV cases announced by MHMS on December 1, 2025, during the country’s observance of World AIDS Day.
Ma’ahanua said stigma, discrimination and concerns about privacy could discourage people from seeking testing during normal operating hours.
“This is especially important as HIV can affect anyone, which is why it is important for all of us to know our status,” she said.
“Knowing your HIV status is an act of responsibility that helps protect both yourself and your loved ones.”
SIPPA said people who access the service will receive counselling and support throughout the testing process.
A reactive result from the initial rapid test will require a second confirmatory test through the laboratory services of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Anyone with a confirmed positive result will be referred to the HIV/STI Unit for further assessment, treatment and support.
SIPPA will also continue providing counselling and referral services to help clients access appropriate care.
Ma’ahanua stressed that HIV treatment allows people living with the virus to live long and fulfilling lives when medication is taken consistently.
“Treatment is a lifelong commitment, because you have to take it every day,” she said.
“But when people living with HIV take treatment consistently as instructed by health officials, they can live long and fulfilling lives.”
SIPPA acknowledged the continued support of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, as well as the Australian Government through DFAT and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
The new mobile clinic is expected to provide another avenue for people in Honiara to know their HIV status, access information and receive early referral and support where needed.
[HIV and Syphilis Rapid test kit. Photo Credit SIPPA]
BY CHARLES STENNETT
Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Wayne Ghemu has called for the strengthening of public financial management as being critical to ensuring climate resources are directed towards national priorities and communities most vulnerable to climate change.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), Mr Ghemu was speaking at the Pre-COP31 side event in Nadi yesterday saying that Pacific countries must strengthen their systems for resilience while developed nations meet their climate finance responsibilities.
He said Pacific countries are taking greater ownership of how climate finance is managed, while international partners must continue to meet their responsibility to provide adequate and accessible climate finance.
He said the strengthening of public financial management is critical to ensuring climate resources are directed towards national priorities and communities most vulnerable to climate change.
“Financing our own resilience does not mean financing resilience on our own,” Minister Ghemu said.
The statement quoted Mr Ghemu as saying that reforms such as climate budget tagging can help governments identify and track climate-related expenditure and strengthen the link between national climate priorities, planning and budget decisions.
“This includes connecting climate budget tagging with integrated vulnerability assessments, helping bring greater visibility to the realities faced by vulnerable communities when national investment decisions are made,” he said.
Minister Ghemu said such efforts demonstrate Pacific leadership, ownership and agency.
But said it should not be interpreted as transferring responsibility for climate change to countries that have contributed least to the problem.
“The international community must continue to meet its responsibility to provide climate financing that is adequate, predictable and accessible for vulnerable countries like ours that are at the frontline of climate change,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted work towards a regional Pacific climate finance taxonomy.
He said this could establish a shared understanding of climate-related expenditure and investment while strengthening the region’s evidence base and collective advocacy.
Minister Ghemu said the goal is to put Pacific governments more firmly in the driver’s seat of their own resilience, while ensuring international climate finance can effectively support priorities identified by Pacific countries.
[Pre-COP31 side event Pacific representatives and minister Ghemu (centre) in Nadi, Fiji. Photo Credit: OPMC]
BY JOSES SAREN
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining open communication with provincial authorities on the $75 million Cyclone Maila recovery program, following concerns raised by Western Province about its role in the process.
Speaking at a joint press conference yesterday, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment (MECDM) and Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), David Hiriasia, said communication with provinces remains continuous.
“We also received the Premier of Western Province last week, and he did a courtesy visit to the ministry,” PS Hiriasia said. “We informed him about the plans of government for rolling out this shelter strategy.”
He added that provincial officers are already on the ground as part of the disaster management structure.
“The ministry has provincial officers, disaster officers on the ground, which work as part of the provincial government support,” PS Hiriasia said. “So that linkage is there already, under the 2018 disaster arrangement.”
Director of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Jonathan Tafiariki, explained that the National Disaster Council (NDC) structure includes Provincial Disaster Committees (PDCs), which serve as the implementing arm at the provincial level.
Director of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Jonathan Tafiariki. Photo Joses Saren
“Whatever support is required, it still goes through the PDC on the ground,” Mr. Tafiariki said.
He clarified, however, that direct allocations to provincial governments are not permitted under the current legal framework.
“The Council has power to approve resources for targeted arrangements inside the committees,” Mr. Tafiariki said. “But the whole budget for provincial government executive management is not within the National Disaster Council.”
PS Hiriasia noted that the government is also addressing misinformation circulating on social media about the recovery process.
“Every time, one-sided information comes out,” he said. “We want time for people to hear from us too.”
He emphasized that the government is committed to transparency and ensuring the public understands the process.
“We don’t want to make people confused, and in that way, we don’t make them cross,” PS Hiriasia said. “That is one of the reasons why we are holding this press conference—to ensure that the message goes out to people that the government is there, we have not forgotten them, and although the process takes time, funding has not been misused.”
[Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment (MECDM) and Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), David Hiriasia. Photo Joses Saren]
– NDC rejects claims of third-party control over $75 TC Maila recovery fund
BY JOSES SAREN
THE National Government has rejected claims that it is sidelining provincial authorities in the management of the $75 million Tropical Cyclone Maila recovery fund.
The government says there will be no middleman in the recovery programme and that provincial governments cannot receive direct cash allocations under the current disaster management framework.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and National Disaster Council (NDC) Chairman David Hiriasia made the clarification yesterday following Western Province Premier Billy Veo’s demand for provincial control of the recovery programme.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment (MECDM) and Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), David Hiriasia. Photo Joses Saren
Speaking at a joint press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Hiriasia said the NDC had not approved any middleman to manage the recovery funds.
“To be very frank, the NDC deliberations do not approve any middleman. There is no middleman. The government is the implementer,” he said.
Hiriasia said legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the $75 million is housed in a Special Fund managed by the NDC.
He said direct distribution of the money to provincial executives would not be permitted under the National Disaster Council Act.
“Specific targeting of funds to provinces has to be approved by the Council under the Special Fund management,” Hiriasia said.
“If we give funds directly to the province outside of this arrangement, that is illegal.”
However, Hiriasia stressed that provincial governments are not being excluded from the recovery programme.
He said the implementation would follow the 2018 National Disaster Management Plan, under which Provincial Disaster Committees (PDCs) serve as the implementing arm on the ground.
“The province is part of the arrangement. We are not neglecting the province,” he said.
“We work together for implementation. From national, we go down to provincial.”
The government’s clarification follows Veo’s strong call for the $75 million recovery funding to be channelled directly to Western and Choiseul provinces.
Veo has argued that the provinces have the capacity to manage the funds and warned against the involvement of private companies or NGOs.
He has also questioned why the recovery money had not yet been released to the provinces.
But Hiriasia revealed yesterday that not a single cent of the $75 million has been spent.
He said the government is still awaiting the finalisation of the Special Fund account with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI).
The revelation means the recovery programme is yet to draw down any of the $75 million allocated for cyclone recovery.
Hiriasia maintained that the national government would work with provincial authorities through the established disaster management structure rather than transferring the money directly to provincial accounts.
The government’s position sets up a sharp divide over how the major recovery fund should be managed—with Western Province demanding greater control while the NDC insists the money must remain under the legally established national framework
[From left to right: Deputy SSPM Operations Barnabas Henson, NDMO Director Jonathan Tafiariki, MECDM Permanent Secretary David Hiriasia and Deputy Secretary (Fiscal) Coswal Nelson speaking to local media at yesterday’s joint press conference. Photo credit: Joses Saren.]
BY JOSES SAREN
Despite the urgent need for recovery in the wake of Cyclone Maila, the government has confirmed that the $75 million appropriation has not yet been utilized, as administrative processes to establish the Special Fund are still underway.
This was revealed at a joint press conference held this morning at 10 am, bringing together the Ministry of Environment, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the Ministry of Finance, and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Finance, Coswal Nelson, explained that while the Cabinet approved the funds earlier this year, the money is currently sitting in the Consolidated Fund. The government is currently working with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to activate the specific account required by the National Disaster Act.
Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Finance, Coswal Nelson. Photo Joses Saren
“The process is taking a bit of time,” Mr. Nelson admitted. “We are still working with CBSI to complete the account details. As soon as that account is created, funds will be transferred.”
Deputy Special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM) Operations, Mr Barnabas Henson, added that the delay is necessary to ensure compliance with the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).
“This is the first time we are using a Special Fund for disaster recovery,” Mr. Henson said. “The Attorney General advised that while it is a Special Fund, it must still comply with the PFMA.”
Addressing concerns about transparency—sparked by recent audits of other government funds—Mr. Henson assured the public that strict monitoring mechanisms are in place.
Deputy SSPM (Operations), Barnabas Henson. Photo Joses Saren
“There is an expectation that reporting goes back to Cabinet and eventually to Parliament,” Mr. Henson said. “We are very concerned about the recent court cases. This is a whole-of-government approach, and we will ensure the implementation is transparent.”
Mr. Henson also confirmed that the Auditor General will oversee the fund.
“The Auditor General will audit this fund,” he stated. “All procurement documents must be available and prepared. The Council management will ensure that the Permanent Secretary follows this process.”
Permanent Secretary Hiriasia reinforced this point, noting that the National Disaster Council is not just the Ministry of Environment, but a whole-of-government body that includes every Permanent Secretary, including the Office of the Prime Minister.
“This is a whole-of-government approach,” PS Hiriasia said. “We will use whatever resources are available to ensure that this shelter recovery implementation is successful.”
The government expects procurement to begin immediately once the CBSI account is activated, with shipments of materials expected to roll afterwards, weather permitting.
[Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment (MECDM) and Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), David Hiriasia. Photo Joses Saren]
by Ednal Palmer The Government is preparing to begin the reconstruction of homes destroyed by Cyclone Maila in Western and Choiseul provinces, with about 1,300 houses expected to be rebuilt under a national shelter-recovery programme. Chairman of the National Disaster Council and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate...
The post Gov’t Sets to Rebuild Homes Destroyed by Cyclone Maila appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY TONY IROGA
A strong wind warning is now in place for seven provinces across the Solomon Islands waters today.
Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) issued the warning at 7am today.
SIME said the Strong Wind Warning Number 238 is for waters of Temotu, Makira, Rennell/Bellona, Malaita, Russell Islands, and the southern waters of Western and Guadalcanal provinces.
SIMS said that a trough lies east of the country while a general southeast trade wind flow continues to blow over the islands.
Southeasterly winds are expected to reach 15 to 25 knots in the affected areas. Seas will be moderate to rough, with southeast swells reaching 2.5 to 3.0 meters, alongside poor visibility during showers and thunderstorms.
“People in those areas should take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties,” SIMS warned.
SIMS also advised coastal residents and boat owners to be careful and sea travellers are urged to consider safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions hazardous to small boats.
Members of the public are requested to share this weather information with people with disabilities in their communities.
The next update will be issued by SIMS at 4pm today.
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) has issued an Orange Alert for strong winds today, October 1, 2026, warning mariners and sea travellers that small boats are at high risk of capsizing in hazardous conditions.
According to SIMS, the Impact-Based Warning Number 236, was released at 7:00 am this morning following a persistent strong southeast wind flow across the region.
The Met Service has placed the following waters under an active Orange Alert; Temotu Province, Makira-Ulawa Province, Rennell and Bellona Province, Malaita Province, Southern waters of Western, Russell, and Guadalcanal Province.
From national meteorological hazard assessments, the likelihood of severe weather is “High” and the potential impact is “Significant”, placing the overall threat level at “High” (Take Action).
Coastal communities and sea travellers should anticipate the following hazards:
-Rough Seas-Ocean conditions will escalate to moderate-to-rough with moderate swells.
-Capsizing Risk- High swells present severe danger to small craft and OBMs (Outboard Motors), which are likely to capsize if operating in open waters.
-Reduced Visibility- Heavy rain showers and localised thunderstorms will severely limit sea visibility.
Members of the public, particularly banana-boat operators, fishermen, and inter-island travelers, are strongly advised to delay unnecessary sea voyages and take precautionary safety measures immediately.
Residents across affected provinces are urged to remain alert, monitor updates via the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), and consult local media for ongoing emergency announcements.
The next impact-based weather warning from the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service is scheduled for release at 4:00pm this afternoon.
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BY JOSES SAREN
The Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) officially opened its new US$5.77 million (about SBD$48 million) Aviation Complex Building today.
The complex, funded through the World Bank-supported Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), was constructed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) over 652 days, beginning in December 2024.
Guests at the entrance of the new Aviation Complex after the handover ceremony photo credit- Joses Saren
The total contract value was US$5,771,547.68.
Minister for Communication and Aviation Frederick Kologeto said the new facility will end years of reliance on rented offices and allow government funds to be redirected to other services and programmes.
“Yearly, we spend about 2 million dollars on office rental.
“With the completion of this facility, these funds can now be redirected towards other critical services, strengthening our operations, and supporting further programs and projects within our country,” Kologeto said.
He said the investment will improve the use of public resources.
The new complex will bring several government agencies and divisions under one facility, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI), National Computer Emergency Response Team, Digital Transformation Division and Communication Policy Division.
One of the new executive offices in the new building, photo credit- Joses Saren
Workstations inside the new complex, photo credit-Joses Saren
It will also provide dedicated space for Immigration, Customs and Biosecurity officers.
Kologeto said bringing the services together will improve coordination and the delivery of services in the aviation and communications sectors.
“Bringing these essential services together will strengthen coordination and improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of services required within the industry.
“The Aviation Complex is more than just a new office building; it is critical national infrastructure, ”he said.
World Bank Country Representative Bernard Harborne said the successful completion of the project demonstrates the government’s ability to deliver major infrastructure projects.
Harborne also said the World Bank is preparing to provide an additional US$40 million under SIRAP2.
“We’re just about to put an additional $40 million into that project given the way in which the Solomon Islands government and the project team are working so well,” he said.
Harborne said the new complex represents part of the country’s future development.
Kologeto also called on other ministries without permanent offices to consider investing in their own facilities to reduce long-term rental costs.
“I would like to take this opportunity to call on ministries that are yet to have permanent homes to seriously consider investment in their own office complexes,” he said.
“Acting Prime Minister... he got his own office complex. So do I. Why not the other ministries?”
The ceremony ended with a prayer, ribbon-cutting and a tour of the new facility for invited guests.
Photo credit: Joses Saren
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
WESTERN Province Premier Billy Veo has called on the Prime Minister to transfer a portion of the SBD75 million recovery allocation directly to the Western Provincial Government for immediate implementation.
In a letter to Prime Minister dated September 23, Veo said the Western Provincial Government (WPG) is the constitutionally established authority representing the people and communities of Western Province and with the capacity to deliver needed support.
He said the provincial government is also an important implementing partner of the National Government and has direct responsibility for the welfare and development of people in the province.
Veo said the SBD75 million recovery allocation should not be transferred to non-government organisations, private companies or other external implementing agencies without the direct involvement and oversight of the provincial government.
“External organisations may have an important supporting role where specialised technical expertise is requested and not to displace the role of the Provincial Government in planning, coordination, prioritising and overseeing recovery activities within its jurisdiction,” he said.
Veo said WPG has established administrative and financial systems necessary to receive, manage, implement and account for public funds.
He also pointed to the province’s Provincial Disaster Operations Management Committee and related provincial disaster management structures as existing mechanisms to coordinate recovery activities among affected communities, national agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
Veo said direct provincial implementation will allow recovery activities to be coordinated more closely with the needs identified by affected communities.
He stressed that WPG is not seeking to bypass the National Government’s accountability requirements.
“On the contrary, the province is prepared to provide full financial and programme accountability for all funds received,” Veo said.
He said accountability measures could include detailed recovery implementation plans, approved budgets and work programmes, regular financial acquittals, procurement documentation, progress reports, monitoring and evaluation reports, and reports to the National Government and other relevant authorities.
Veo said people of Western Province should have clear information on who is responsible for the recovery programme, how much funding is available, where the funds are being spent and whether the intended results are being achieved.
The SBD75 million recovery allocation follows the impacts of recent disasters in Western Province and is intended to support recovery activities in affected communities.
Veo’s call now places emphasis on greater provincial involvement in the planning, coordination, implementation and oversight of the recovery programme.
Photo credit: Ben Bilua
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BY TONY IROGA
Coastal communities and sea travellers across multiple provinces are urged to take immediate safety precautions as strong winds and rough seas impact parts of the country.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) issued Strong Wind Warning Number 231 at 4pm today, highlighting hazardous maritime conditions driven by a persistent weather system.
According SIMS, the strong wind warning covers the waters of Temotu, Makira, Rennell/Bellona, East Malaita, and South Guadalcanal province.
“A trough lies northeast of the Solomon Islands while a general southeasterly trade wind flow persists over the country,” SIMS said.
Southeasterly winds are forecasted to reach 15 to 25 knots over the affected sea areas. Seas are expected to be moderate to rough, accompanied by moderate southeasterly swells ranging from 2.5 to 3.0 meters.
Visibility is also expected to drop significantly in areas experiencing heavy showers and thunderstorms.
SIMS warn that the anticipated conditions pose real risks to residents and boat operators in the target provinces.
“People in those areas should take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties,” SIMS advised.
SIMS said that sea travellers are urged to consider safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions, hazardous to small boats.
SIMS also appeals to the public to ensure weather updates and safety warnings are shared with people living with disabilities in vulnerable coastal communities.
The next strong wind warning update will be issued at 7am tomorrow.
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BY TONY IROGA
An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 that had struck near Vella Lavella Island in Western Province this morning has no tsunami threat to the Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) confirmed this in a statement today.
“The tremor occurred at 9:47 am at a depth near Latitude 7.58 Degrees South and Longitude 156.14 Degrees East, positioning the epicentre roughly 40 kilometres west of Vella Lavella,” SIMS said.
SIMS officially issued a “No Tsunami Threat Statement” at 10:18 am today, reassuring the public that coastal areas are safe.
According to SIMS, no further updates will be released unless there is a significant change in the situation.
Photo credit: SIMS
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Western Province Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Eddie Ngava, has expressed deep gratitude following a SBD$25,000 charity donation from the Point Cruz Yacht Club (PCYC).
The funding is part of a larger SBD$65,000 package raised by PCYC during its annual fishing competition.
While the Tenaru Care Centre and Auki Care Centre each received SBD$20,000, the remaining SBD$25,000 was officially handed over to support communities devastated by Tropical Cyclone Maila.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Mr. Ngava confirmed that the funds have been wired directly into the Western Province Government’s account.
“Because it originates from a charitable group, the money will be held in a special account. We are so happy. The Money will go towards certain areas in the Western Province that are really affected by the tropical cyclone Maila. The provincial government will sit and discuss how it should be dealt with,” Ngava said.
Responding to widespread public complaints regarding delayed relief from the national government and its stakeholders, Mr. Ngava acknowledged that public impatience and a lack of information are growing challenges.
“People are now impatient because it takes a long time, and things do not happen, or they happen at a smaller scale. Because of ignorance about what happens and when money will come, of course, people have to speak out,” Mr. Ngava explained.
However, he defended ongoing relief processes, explaining that official government procedures are inherently slow.
He urged affected communities to remain patient as local leaders work to manage the situation.
“If it is a government support, it will slow or take time, not fast as we might expect. We leaders are also trying to help our people understand how money is transacted and things worked out in such a situation,” he concluded.
[Photo: Western Province Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Eddie Ngava.]
作者:约翰·霍阿尼哈乌(JOHN HOUANIHAU)
西部省省议会成员(MPA)及公共账户委员会主席埃迪·恩伽瓦(Eddie Ngava)对来自点克鲁兹游艇俱乐部(PCYC)的25000澳元慈善捐款表示深深的感谢。
这笔资金是PCYC在其年度钓鱼比赛中筹集的65000澳元的一部分。
虽然特纳鲁关怀中心(Tenaru Care Centre)和奥基关怀中心(Auki Care Centre)各获得了20000澳元,但剩余的25000澳元则正式交给了支持受到热带气旋梅拉(Tropical Cyclone Maila)破坏的社区。
在一次独家采访中,恩伽瓦确认这笔资金已直接汇入西部省政府的账户。
“由于这笔资金来自一个慈善团体,因此将保存在一个特殊账户中。我们非常高兴。这笔钱将用于西部省受热带气旋梅拉严重影响的特定地区。省政府将召开会议讨论如何处理这笔资金,”恩伽瓦说。
针对公众对国家政府及其利益相关者救助延迟的广泛投诉,恩伽瓦承认公众的不耐烦和缺乏信息是日益增长的挑战。
“人们现在变得不耐烦,因为需要很长时间,事情没有发生,或者发生的规模较小。由于对发生的事情和资金何时到位的无知,人们当然会发声,”恩伽瓦解释道。
然而,他为持续的救助过程辩护,解释说官方政府程序本质上是缓慢的。
他呼吁受影响的社区保持耐心,因为地方领导正在努力管理这一情况。
“如果是政府支持,速度会慢或需要时间,而不是我们可能期望的那样快。我们领导者也在努力帮助我们的人民理解资金是如何交易的,以及在这种情况下事情是如何处理的,”他总结道。
[照片:西部省省议会成员(MPA)及公共账户委员会主席埃迪·恩伽瓦。]
Island SunDisasters & Weather灾害与天气·2026-09-27Original ↗原文 ↗
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Point Cruz Yacht Club (PCYC) has donated a total of SBD$65,000 to two care centres and victims of Tropical Cyclone Maila, following its annual fishing competition last week.
Tenaru Care Centre and Auki Care Centre each received SBD$20,000, while SBD$25,000 was handed over to support cyclone‐affected communities in Western Province.
The handover ceremony was held at the Point Cruz Yacht Club on Wednesday.
PCYC Vice Commodore (Power), Brian Taupiri, said the donations were raised directly from last years and this year’s fishing competitions.
“There are three charity donations for this year. The first goes to Tenaru Care Centre with $20,000, the second to Auki Care Centre with $20,000, and the third to victims of Tropical Cyclone Maila with $25,000,” he said.
Taupiri thanked PCYC members for their commitment and encouraged wider participation in the next fishing competition scheduled for November.
Western Province MPA Eddie Ngava receives the support from PCYC. Photo credit: John Houanihau.
He also acknowledged sponsors including Solomon Telekom, South Pacific Oil Limited (SPOL), SolBrew, Tongs, Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), Y‐Sato, South Pacific Design, Fleet Solomons, Tourism Solomons, Teejay Holdings, NFD, ADS, Supreme, Island Equipment, and others.
Florence Taro of the Christian Care Centre, described the centre as a safe house created by the church to protect women, children, and young girls facing gender‐based violence.
“On behalf of the Christian Care Centre I would like to say thank you so much to the PCYC members for your support towards women and children. One dollar of this money provides clothing, soap, or even a pillow for those who have never had access to such basic items,” she said.
Western Province MPA Eddie Ngava, expressed gratitude.
“On behalf of the people of Western Province, this gesture may seem small in your eyes, but for us it is big. I thank every one of you for this valuable support towards our struggle after Cyclone Maila,” he said.
[Photo: A rep from the Christian Care Centre receives the support from PCYC Western Province MPA Eddie Ngava receives the support from PCYC. Photo credit: John Houanihau.]
作者:约翰·霍阿尼哈乌
在上周举行的年度钓鱼比赛后,Point Cruz Yacht Club(PCYC)向两个护理中心和热带气旋 Maila 的受害者捐赠了总计 65,000 斐济元。
Tenaru 护理中心和 Auki 护理中心各获得 20,000 斐济元,而 25,000 斐济元则用于支持西部省受气旋影响的社区。
交接仪式于周三在 Point Cruz Yacht Club 举行。
PCYC 副指挥官(动力)布莱恩·陶皮里表示,这些捐款直接来自于去年的和今年的钓鱼比赛。
“今年有三笔慈善捐款。第一笔是给 Tenaru 护理中心的 20,000 元,第二笔是给 Auki 护理中心的 20,000 元,第三笔是给热带气旋 Maila 受害者的 25,000 元,”他说。
陶皮里感谢 PCYC 成员的支持,并鼓励大家积极参与定于 11 月举行的下一次钓鱼比赛。
西部省议员埃迪·恩伽瓦接受了 PCYC 的支持。照片来源:约翰·霍阿尼哈乌。
他还感谢了包括所罗门电信、南太平洋石油有限公司(SPOL)、SolBrew、Tongs、所罗门群岛港务局(SIPA)、Y-Sato、南太平洋设计、Fleet Solomons、所罗门旅游局、Teejay Holdings、NFD、ADS、Supreme、Island Equipment 等在内的赞助商。
基督教护理中心的弗洛伦斯·塔罗将该中心描述为一个由教会创建的安全屋,旨在保护面临性别暴力的女性、儿童和年轻女孩。
“我代表基督教护理中心,衷心感谢 PCYC 成员对女性和儿童的支持。这笔钱中的每一美元都能为那些从未接触过这些基本物品的人提供衣物、肥皂,甚至一个枕头,”她说。
西部省议员埃迪·恩伽瓦表达了感激之情。
“我代表西部省人民,您眼中的这个举动可能显得微不足道,但对我们来说意义重大。感谢每一位为我们在热带气旋 Maila 后的奋斗提供宝贵支持的人,”他说。
[照片:基督教护理中心的代表接受 PCYC 的支持。西部省议员埃迪·恩伽瓦接受 PCYC 的支持。照片来源:约翰·霍阿尼哈乌。]
Island SunDisasters & Weather灾害与天气·2026-09-27Original ↗原文 ↗
Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh, the first Commonwealth Poet Laureate, made her first visit to Tuvalu in August, running creative writing workshops in Funafuti after weather postponed the country's first Cultural Festival.
Honiara residents are urged to use HCC clinics for non-emergency care to reduce pressure on the NRH Emergency Department. The general public is respectfully advised to visit their nearest community healthcare clinic when seeking treatment for general health conditions and non-emergency medical care and health common health concerns such as& ● Coughs, colds, and fever& [...]
The post Public Urged to Use Nearest Clinics for Non-Emergency Health Needs appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has advised people with coughs, fever, diarrhoea and other common conditions to go to their nearest clinic rather than the National Referral Hospital Emergency Department.
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Residents of Bisivuvugala village in Nukiki, North West Choiseul, have complained about the way their village disaster committee and taskforce distributed relief supplies provided to household affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila in their communities.
The residents raised concerns with Island Sun, alleging that the local committee and taskforce did not distribute the supplies fairly, with some affected families receiving what they considered reasonable shares while others received less and some not.
They questioned the basis used by the village committee and taskforce to determine how the supplies should be shared among affected households and communities.
According to the residents, the distribution should have been based on accurate information about the number of people and households affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.
They alleged that the process was unfair and that some families may not have received assistance according to their level of need.
The concerns have also raised questions about how information on disaster-affected communities is collected before relief supplies are distributed.
Residents questioned why relevant authorities do not travel to affected communities at Nukiki to conduct their own assessments and collect accurate data, instead of relying heavily on information provided by the community’s taskforce.
They said physical assessments would allow authorities to verify the actual impact of a disaster, establish the number of affected households and determine the level of assistance required in each community.
The residents said accurate data is particularly important when relief supplies are limited and must be shared among many affected families.
They also called for greater transparency and accountability in the distribution of disaster assistance at community level, saying all affected households should be properly considered.
While acknowledging the role of village committees and local taskforces in helping distribute relief supplies, the residents said there should be clear and transparent processes to ensure assistance reaches those affected.
They are calling on the relevant authorities to strengthen their assessment and verification of affected communities following future disasters.
[Photo: Bisivuvugala, a community of Nukiki that was also affected by TC Maila. Photo credit: John Houanihau.]
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) David Hiriasia has hit back at social media commentators criticising the government over the pace of its response to Tropical Cyclone Maila.
The criticism has questioned why assistance and recovery activities have taken time despite funding being allocated for the disaster response.
But Hiriasia said disaster response does not happen all at once, explaining that authorities work through different phases, with immediate response and longer-term recovery requiring different approaches.
A chart showing the steps of response and recovery during disasters: Photo credit: David Hiriasia .
He said the early response normally focuses on immediate humanitarian needs, while recovery is a much longer process that can take years.
“What normally happens during the early response phase is what we are talking about with food. But recovery can take years,” Hiriasia said.
Hiriasia said the public should therefore not expect all recovery activities to be completed immediately following the allocation of funds.
He said the proposed shelter recovery following Tropical Cyclone Maila was an example of a longer-term recovery activity, adding that such work has not been attempted since Cyclone Namu.
“We have never attempted shelter recovery since Cyclone Namu,” he said.
Hiriasia said the scale and nature of the proposed recovery work meant it was new territory even for some disaster management personnel with decades of experience.
“This will be the first time for most of us, even those of us who have been working in this space for 20 years now,” he said.
He also rejected any suggestion that the Government was simply doing nothing while affected communities waited for assistance.
“The important thing is no one should say we are not doing this. It is slow, but we are coming soon and very soon,” Hiriasia said.
Hiriasia’s response comes amid continuing public discussion on social media about the Government’s handling of the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Maila, including questions over the timing of assistance and the use of funds allocated for the disaster response.
His comments emphasise that funding allocation is only part of the disaster-management process, with recovery activities requiring additional planning and implementation beyond the initial emergency response.
[PS MECDM David Hiriasia: File Photo.]
Several parts of Solomon Islands continue to experience unusually cool temperatures, with Henderson recording a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius this morning.
Deputy Director of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service, Eddie Maru , told SBMOnline that low temperatures were also recorded at weather observation stations in Honiara, Munda and Lata.
According to the latest observations, Henderson Airport recorded a minimum temperature of 20°C at 8am , while the Honiara Meteorological Observation Office recorded 21°C .
Munda recorded 22.5°C , while Lata also recorded 22.5°C .
Mr Maru said the cooler temperatures being experienced across the country are consistent with Solomon Islands’ dry or winter season.
“From a climatological perspective, Solomon Islands is located in the Southern Hemisphere. The period from May to October is our winter or dry season,” he explained.
“Because we are in the tropics, temperatures cannot be negative or fall below zero. However, we can expect lower temperatures during the months of June, July, August and September.”
Solomon Islands generally experiences two distinct seasons—a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October.
Mr Maru said the current cooler conditions are also being influenced by a large high-pressure system located over the Tasman Sea, between Australia and the northern waters of New Zealand.
He explained that the high-pressure system is pushing southeast trade winds, carrying colder air from subtropical regions and higher latitudes near New Zealand waters, towards Solomon Islands and other neighbouring Pacific countries.
Survivors evacuated to Honiara as search continues for two missing passengers
BY RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
Four of the six people who went missing after travelling by boat from Foxwood, Guadalcanal, to Hauhui in West ’Are’are have been rescued, with two others still missing.
The four survivors were found alive at Toa and Vuturua villages in South Gella, Central Islands Province, after their boat failed to reach Hauhui on Friday.
They were later evacuated by helicopter to Honiara on Sunday afternoon for medical treatment.
A chopper flew the four survivors to Honiara yesterday afternoon for medical treatment after they were found alive in South Gella. Photo credit: Dr Jack Siwainao.
A relative, Dr Jack Haikau Horiai Siwanao, confirmed in an update at 4pm yesterday that the four survivors had been flown from Toa and Vuturua to Honiara International Airport.
He said one of the survivors was strong and up and about, while the other three were admitted to Merci Siwainao Clinic for treatment.
“The three were receiving intravenous fluids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication”, Dr Siwanao said.
The six people reportedly left Foxwood at around 10am on Friday but failed to arrive at their expected destination in Hauhui.
Relatives became concerned after losing contact with them, prompting a search and rescue effort.
Dr Siwanao said the four survivors were found after people in the coastal communities of South Gella assisted in locating and caring for them.
One of the survivors is loaded into an ambulance for medical treatment after arriving in Honiara yesterday afternoon. Photo credit: Dr Jack Siwainao.
He thanked the families in Vuturua and Toa villages for looking after the survivors before their evacuation.
He also acknowledged Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal Bradley Tovosia and his team for travelling to the two villages and assisting with the response.
Dr Siwanao also thanked the helicopter pilot, Helicopter Support team for assisting with the search and the evacuation of the four survivors.
He further acknowledged the National Referral Hospital ambulance team for transporting the survivors from Honiara International Airport to Merci Siwainao Clinic.
Meanwhile, the Search and Rescue Unit, police and others continue efforts to locate the remaining two passengers.
Earlier, Malaita Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said authorities would continue the search, with sea conditions affecting the operation.
Dr Siwanao has urged people living along the coastline to remain alert and report any sightings or information that could assist in locating the two missing passengers.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dr Siwanao on 7137787 or 7432040.
The search for the remaining two continues.
[The survivors arrive at Henderson International Airport after being flown in by chopper yesterday afternoon. Photo credit: Dr Jack Siwainao.]
Three Solomon Islands meteorology professionals receive Pacific awards for their contributions to weather, climate and related services. By Jeremy Gwao& Three Solomon Islands meteorology professionals have been recognised for their contribution to weather, climate and related services in the Pacific. The awards were presented during the closing of the Eighth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting and [...]
The post Decades of Service Earn Three Solomon Islanders Pacific Honours appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .