THE Western Provincial Agriculture extension office says it is prepared to provide technical assistance to disaster stricken areas in the province.
Western was one of the provinces affected by last month’s bad weather, which caused flash floods in Honiara and Guadalcanal.
Western Provincial chief field officer Samson Timi said communities from Vela la Vela, Kolombangara, and Rannogga that were directly affected were given relief supplies.
“My office will provide technical assistance for the affected communities. Taiwan will provide us with seeds, and my field people stationed around the province are there waiting to help the communities with technical assistance,” Mr Timi said.
“We will give appropriate training and awareness for the communities to restart their life in this long rehabilitation process.”
He said they will also be assisting the communities rehabilitate damaged cash crops.
“Cash crops, mainly cocoa which were also affected, my officers will also help the communities by giving them right information for replanting.
“The challenging part is that some affected parts of the province have logging operations, but my team will try our best to give good information to those affected.”
In 2007, Western Province was struck by an earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 50 people and left behind a trail of destruction.
Last month’s flash floods in Honiara and Guadalcanal killed at least 22 people.
Relief and rehabilitation work was still ongoing.
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
