UNDP Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Ligia Elizondo, is currently in the country on an official visit from 11-13 April.

She will meet with high ranking government officials, and visit a UNDP-AusAID supported local disaster recovery and mitigation project.

During her meetings Ms. Elizondo will discuss important topics such as the parliamentary election in the Solomon Islands this summer; the hearings in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission addressing victims and perpetrators from the Tensions in the country between 1998 and 2003; and the impacts of climate change in the region.

As part of her trip, Ms. Elizondo will travel to Aruligo in West Guadalcanal to inaugurate a village water supply system. The Aruligo water supply was compromised after severe flooding hit the area a year ago. The new wells were unaffected by similar recent flooding due to new disaster prevention initiatives that were established in the village.

Support to the Aruligo water supply was one element in a UNDP-AusAID programme which helps villagers to reconstruct important infrastructure after natural disasters. By "building back better" through the project, the village is able to mitigate future damage from similar disasters.

During her three-day visit, Ms. Elizondo will meet with the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua, Leader of the Opposition Mr. Manasseh Sogavare, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. William Haomae, Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination Steve Abana, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Fr. Samuel Ata and Speaker of the Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea.

Ms. Elizondo will leave Solomon Islands Tuesday morning with Fiji as her next destination.