Ngoliana Community Improves Sanitation Faclities

Ngoliana Community in Northeast Malaita, Solomon Islands is restoring its mangrove forests and increasing access to improved sanitation facilities through the construction of 18 flush toilet facilities.

Poor WASH is an environmental hazard that can affect human health, wildlife, the ocean, and ecosystems. Lack of access to improved sanitation facilities remains one of the biggest challenges for the Ngoliana Community, possessing health risks and harmfully impacting the environment.

The UNDP Small Grants Programme supported the community with financial resources to construct 18 sanitation facilities and work on restoring its mangrove forests which are essential for coastal protection against sea level rise and habitat for marine life.

Gabriel Daomae, a member of the Ngoliana Community and a teacher by profession pointed out that "having a sanitation project is improving the standard of living for the community". He further noted that “before the project began, people used the coast, which is not a good practice,” and therefore, “the completion of the sanitation facilities brings about a positive impact for the community.”

During the handover ceremony, Mr. Chanel Iroi, the SGP's National Steering Committee Chairperson and the Deputy Secretary-Technical for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), acknowledged the community’s hard work and the successful implementation of the project.

“I believe, the support from the GEF Small Grants Programme gives a positive impact on the standard of living and will lead to improving health and wellbeing through mangrove restoration and having a complete set of sanitation facilities in your community,” said Mr. Iroi.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, the GEF Small Grants Programme provides financial and technical support to projects that conserve the global environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods.

Source: Press Release, UNDP Solomon Islands