All Archive April 2014

Distribution of Food Supplies Still Continue

The Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NMDO) and its partner agencies are continuing to get food supplies to communities in Honiara and the greater Guadalcanal affected by the recent floods.
Representatives from RSIPF, ODPP, the Ministry of Forestry and Research, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Immigration, the Participating Police Force (PPF), Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources , Central Bank, Company Haus and others participated in the forum.

New Taskforce Established to Prosecute Illegal Companies

Solomon Islands police, prosecutors and several Government Ministries have formed a new high level taskforce to crackdown on environmental crime.
As well as treating patients, the team has implemented a range of measures to support the National Referral Hospital, including sourcing new equipment and supplies for the emergency department, improving communications, workplace safety and increasing mosquito controls.

New Zealand and Australia Send Second Medical Team

An 11-person New Zealand and Australian medical team have arrived in Honiara on Monday 28 April to assist the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital with an influx of patients following the recent floods.
The talks covered areas including common border issues such as immigration, customs, quarantine, investment opportunities in fuel supplies, shipping services, grocery goods, agricultural commodities, fisheries and trade agreements and policies.

Bougainville and Solomons Begin Trade Talks

Senior officials from the Solomon Islands Government have held talks with a delegation from Bougainville this week to further strengthen trade links between Solomon Islands and Bougainville.
Every dollar spent at youth stalls goes towards a youth run business and encourages greater financial independence and an opportunity to support the entrepreneurial spirit of Solomon Island Youth.

Youth Market Kick Off This Week

The much-anticipated Youth Market is set to take place this Thursday the 1st of May in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Fiji Updates School Curricula with SPC-GIZ Support

Tuesday 22 March 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji – Just before the Easter long weekend, the Fiji Ministry of Education held a national curriculum consultation that finalised the process of incorporating climate change and disaster risk management into the curricula of primary and secondary schools in Fiji.
The special secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Phil Tagini, has confirmed to Pacific Beat that the Immigration Department has prevented employees of St Barbara from re-entering the country.

Gold Ridge Executives Banned from Re-entering Solomon Islands

Australian mining company St Barbara says it doesn't know why the Solomon Islands Government has banned its employees from re-entering the country.
A joint statement from the Gold Ridge landowners and Guadalcanal Province says while they share Prime Minister’s disappointment over St Barbara’s absence from its legal and technical obligations on Gold Ridge in the aftermath of the April floods, the Government must not sideline landowners in any dealing regarding Gold Ridge mine.

Gold Ridge Landowners Voice Concern

The Gold Ridge Landowners and Guadalcanal Provincial government have warned both the government and St. Barbara that they will not accept decisions of mining on their land without being involved in the consultation process.

Sumitomo Donates for Disaster Assistance

The Japanese mining company, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co, Ltd, SMM, has donated $700,000 to the Solomon Islands Government Disaster Relief effort.

Keru Wharf Upgraded

Work has begun to upgrade and rehabilitate the Keru Wharf near New Georgia in Western Province, Solomon Islands.

Heavy Rain Warning Issued

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service has issued a Heavy Rain Alert this morning which is in force for all Provinces in the country.
“We would like to be clear these are very damaging rumours, and we do not want people to have false expectations.”

NDC Dismiss Rumours of Cash Grants

The National Disaster Council (NDC) warns against rumours of cash grants for those people displaced by the recent floods.
The PNG Team is here to help the Solomon Islands Government set up the Registry of Political Parties for Solomon Islands. The Team is fully funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea.

PM Lilo Welcomes PNG Political Party Registry Team

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo last night welcomed and commissioned the work of a PNG Team from the Political Parties Registry to the Solomon Islands.
Mr. Lilo said he appreciated the wealth and knowledge Ms. Crawshaw has of Solomon Islands as she has served as deputy high commissioner in the country in the past.

New NZ High Commissioner Present Letters of Introduction to PM

New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Marion Crawshaw yesterday presented her letters of introduction to Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo in Honiara.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Andrew Byrne says the team will be based at the National Referral Hospital and will help local staff respond to an influx of patients.

Australian Doctors Provides Medical Support

Australia continues to stand with Solomon Islands in responding to the flood crisis.
With schools being used as Evacuation Centers, there is uncertainty of an actual start date for all the schools occupied.

Government Encourages People to Return Home

The Solomon Islands Government is encouraging people to voluntarily leave evacuation centres and return home, with return assistance packages ready for distribution.
The graduation of the 17 nurses will immensely contribute towards the NCRA Government’s national goal and commitment to the delivery of important social services like health which is critical to strengthening the socio-economic development in rural areas.

Goldie Graduates Nurses

The Solomon Islands Helena Goldie College of Nursing has graduated 17 new diploma level nurses last week at United Church’s Headquarter in Munda, Western Province.

Lilo Sends Condolence to Hatimoana Family

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo was deeply saddened by the passing of the late Honorable Johnley Hatimoana over the weekend after a short illness.

Vanuatu President Sends Condolence

The President of the Republic of Vanuatu, His Excellency Iolu Johnson Abbil has send condolences to the Government and people of Solomon Islands for the loss of lives and property during the April 3 floods.
Sir Peter said he was shocked and saddened to learn of the consequences of the extreme weather conditions affecting Solomon Islands.

Australia Sends Condolence

Australia’s Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove has send condolences to the people of Solomon Islands who have been devastated following the April 3 floods which killed 21 people and left thousands homeless.
For six hours, the White Demons and their Australian friends including the Australian High Commissioner shoveled nearly 200 bags of mud and put on a BBQ breakfast for the community.

Australian Friends Help Clinic Clean Up

More than thirty White River Demons AFL players and Australians gathered in White River on Wednesday morning in a community blitz organised by the SIAFL to clean up the White River Health Clinic.
Solbrew, Tongs, Solomon Tobacco and Silent World have been delivering clean water from Solbrew filtration tanks to communities in need.

Private Sector Brings Clean Water to Stricken Communities

Members of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce (SICCI) have joined forces to deliver clean filtered water to affected communities and Disaster Relief Centers in Honiara.

Zero Damages Following Quake and Tsunami

The Government’s National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has reported zero casualties or damages from the magnitude 7.6 quake and tsunami that struck coastal villages of mainland Makira and its surrounding islands on Sunday morning.
It is anticipated that the new Bailey bridge will be fully operational by the end of May. The New Zealand Government will also fund the contractors who will build the bridge.

NZ Government Funds Repair of Damaged Mataniko Bridge

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo today thanked the New Zealand Government for its quick response to immediately provide a bailey bridge to replace the damaged old Mataniko Bridge at Chinatown.
SIRC says that at least 9,500 people are now taking refuge in 21 welfare centres in Honiara, with similar camps set up in parts of Guadalcanal.

52,000 Affected by Floods

Recent assessments by the Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) suggest that 52,000 people have been directly affected by the recent floods.

PM Lilo and Sikua Visit Flood Stricken Guadalcanal

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo and Opposition Leader Dr Derek Sikua have visited the Guadalcanal Plains and the Gold Ridge mine on Sunday in a mission to witness the scale and impact of the recent rain and floods on Guadalcanal.

Solomon Islands Voter Registration Extended

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has extended its Biometric Voter Registration process because of the recent floods.
The Solomon Islands lies on the "Ring of Fire" — an arc of earthquake and volcanic activity that stretches around the Pacific Rim.

2 Earthquakes Strike Solomon Islands

Within a span of a few hours two strong magnitude 7 earthquakes struck the Solomon Islands on Sunday.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their visit to the Solomon Islands last year.

Royals Send Condolence Message to Flood Victims in Solomon Islands

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have sent condolences to the people of the Solomon Islands in the wake of floods that killed at least 23 people and left thousands homeless.
Homes are surrounded by mud and flood waters on the Guadalcanal Plains, Solomon Islands.

Government Begins Technical Assessment on Flood Hit Areas

The Government has started a detailed technical assessment at flood-hit areas in Honiara and Guadalcanal and other parts of the country to determine the scale of last week’s disaster.

Flood Relief or CDF?

The flooding that has affected Honiara, Guadalcanal Province is a tragedy on a scale that has not been seen in this country for some time. Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) writes about the decision to release part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in the wake of the flooding that devastated Honiara and parts of Guadalcanal.
Parliamentary Secretary to Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Brett Mason and Prime Minister Lilo.

Australia Will Be with Solomon Islands in Good and Bad Times: Mason

Parliamentary Secretary to Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Brett Mason has conveyed Australia’s deepest condolences to Prime Minister Gordon Darcy, his Government and the people of Solomon Islands.

Solomon Warriors Hope to Bounce Back

The Solomon Warriors is hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to AS Pirae in the OFC Champions League yesterday.

Vodafone New Zealand Provides Support for Solomon Islands

Vodafone has announced it will credit its New Zealand customers’ calls and TXTs to the Solomon Islands following last week’s devastating floods and earthquake.
L-R, NDMO Director Loti Yates, Minister Tovosia, Ambassador Yu and Permanent Secretary Dr Melchior Mataki at the handover ceremony this afternoon.

ROC Donates $2 Million towards Recovery Efforts

The Republic of China (Taiwan) today has donated SB$2 million worth of relief assistance towards recovery efforts in Solomon Islands following last week’s deadly floods that killed at least 23 people and left thousands of people homeless.
The NDC appeals to stakeholders, including non-government organizations and other donors, to cooperate within existing disaster management operations.

We Must Work Together to Restore the Solomon Islands: Mataki

The Solomon Islands has endured a week filled with destruction and enormous tragedy, now is the time to work together.

Growth Up Slightly in Solomon Islands

Economic growth in Solomon Islands is expected to pick up slightly to 3% in 2014, and remain steady at 3% in 2015 due to a fiscal stimulus from investment projects which will have a spillover effect on the economy, according to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) 2014 Asian Development Outlook report.
St Barbara said it recorded more than 1000mm of rain at Gold Ridge in the four days to April 4, including 500mm in a 24-hour period.

Future of Gold Ridge Mining Uncertain After Floods

The long-term future of St Barbara's Gold Ridge operations is in doubt as the gold miner today suspended mining after deadly floods in the Solomon Islands.

USA and Germany Sign Deal to Support Climate Adaptation in Solomon Islands

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), working in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, recently inked a deal to further assist climate change adaptation in Solomon Islands.
J Boog says that moving around in different areas and catching different vibes from places has made him grow as an artist, such as lyrically in music.

J Boog Concert Postponed

The J Boog concert has been postponed; organizers say they are working with his management team for a new date.
Ms Bishop says Australia's total package of $3 million will help with the immediate needs of those affected.

Australia Announces AUD$3 million Flood Assistance For Solomon Islands

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced a $3 million aid package to help Solomon Islands recover from a major flood disaster which has killed 23 people and left 9,000 homeless.
The NDMO is still coordinating and distributing disaster relief support to evacuation centres on an ongoing basis. It is working in conjunction with the Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, World Vision, the Honiara City Council Emergency Operation Centre and the Internally Displaced Persons welfare cluster.

Solomon Islands NDMO Issues an All-Clear Statement

The National Disaster Management Office has (NDMO) issued an All-Clear statement late yesterday afternoon, advising the public that no further threat exists and it is now safe for people in the affected areas to move around.
Solomon Airlines Resumes Full International & Domestic Operations

Solomon Airlines Resumes Full International & Domestic Operations

Solomon Airlines has resumed full operation of its international and domestic flight schedules following the devastating flooding which struck the Solomon Islands on the weekend.
The Solomon Islands Government has allocated $5 million (SBD) in emergency funds to the relief effort.

Death Toll Reaches 23

As search and rescue efforts continues 23 have been confirmed dead and hundreds still missing, according to the Solomon Islands National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

Ministry of Education Responds to Flood Disaster

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), and UNICEF, are working together on immediate priorities in response to the recent flooding in Honiara and Guadalcanal.
Food levels at the evacuation centres are at a critical low, according to reports NEOC has received.

Thousands Displaced by Floods

At the latest count today, 7,091 residents had been registered in nine of the evacuation centres in Honiara.
40,000 people in Guadalcanal and 12,000 in Honiara are estimated to have been affected, with many impacted communities experiencing food shortages.

15 Confirmed Dead in Solomon Islands Flood Disaster

15 have been confirmed dead, 30 missing and at least 7,000 homeless following torrential rain and flooding in the Solomon Islands, according to the Solomon Islands National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
“Australia is ready to assist Solomon Islands at this difficult time,” said Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne.

Australia Stands with Solomon Islands During Flood Crises

Australia has immediately pledged over SBD$330,000 to support Solomon Islands in the initial response to flooding in Honiara and Guadalcanal.
He says the structural integrity of the bridge is now in question because of the erosion caused by the floods on both ends of the bridge.

New Mataniko Bridge Closed Off

The only bridge left standing, within the CBD area after the flash floods yesterday, has been blocked off by the police.
“We have had to set up teams to get people to move away from vulnerable areas, there are spots in town that may collapse as the heavy rain continues.”

Stay Indoors, NDMO Warns

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has warned Honiara residents to go to higher grounds, stay indoors and stay put.
In what has been described as possibly the worst floods to have hit Honiara town, hundreds of families are now taking shelter at various evacuation centres in Honiara.

6 Confirmed Dead, 30 Missing

The police have confirmed to Solomon Times that 6 people have lost their lives due to the flash floods late yesterday afternoon, while at least 30 are still missing.
Floods have reached the Maranatha Hall, close to the lungga river area.

Homes Inundated by Heavy Rain

Homes have been inundated by heavy rain, one that has persisted for the past 36 hours.
"The sea is always unpredictable so it is important to always take precaution, even if rain and wind eases up later in the week.”

MET Warns Boat Owners

The MET division has warned boat owners to cancel all operations until the weather clears.
Other eyewitness reports state that others were also caught in the flood, but managed to swim to safety.

Heavy Downpour Claims Two Lives

Reports have stated that two people, a mother and her baby daughter, were killed after sudden flash floods swept through the Chinatown area, washing away the old Chinatown Bridge.
The commencement of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports will support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) GDP growth of 6% in 2014, picking up to a record 21% in 2015.

Papua New Guinea Headed for Record Growth

The commencement of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports will support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) GDP growth of 6% in 2014, picking up to a record 21% in 2015, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says in a major new report.
The Solomon Islands have a population of 549,600. It is an example of the kind of event that could come to “threaten the habitability of low-lying islands” in the future, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.

US$9.1M World Bank Grant for Adaptation Efforts

Efforts to prepare the Solomon Islands for the impacts of climate change have received a US$9.1 million boost from the World Bank. The money will go help set up early warning systems to alert people if an extreme weather event is about to hit, helping to save lives in the event of tsunamis or other natural hazards.
Solomon Islands Set to Welcome J Boog on Sunday

Solomon Islands Set to Welcome J Boog on Sunday

J Boog is set to rock the stage this Sunday at the Heritage Park Hotel, with tickets said to be selling fast. His catchy hit, let’s do it again, put J Boog on the map, spreading his music to a wide audience beyond the shores of Hawaii, where he now resides.
Prime Minister Lilo has acknowledged the students for recognizing his Government’s efforts in helping future leaders of this country.

USP Students Praise PM Lilo

The University of the South Pacific Students Association of Solomon Islands (USPSASI) campus has praised Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo for addressing the students’ scholarship issue.

Transparency Solomon Islands Elects new Board Members

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) held its Annual General Meeting on Saturday 29th March 2014 at Hyundai Mall, Kairos Conference Room.
The Bill was approved by Cabinet more than three weeks ago and was submitted to the Clerk to Parliament shortly after its approval.

PM Confident in Success of Integrity Bill

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is confident that Parliament will deliberate on and eventually pass the Political Parties Integrity Bill (PPIB) which is now before the Parliamentary Bills and Legislation Committee.

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