16 houses badly destroyed in East Malaita by Pam
A TOTAL of 16 houses have been reported badly destroyed and blown to the ground in East Malaita when cyclone Pam swept through the country fortnight ago.
Thats according to Enoch Idui, a chairman of Faumamanu Secondary School in East kwara’ae.
Speaking to this paper late last week Mr Idui said, the 16 houses includedboth semi-permanent and permanent houses.
Many other homes were partly damaged due to strong wind and heavy rain.
The cyclone had forced many villagers to flee from their homes and sought shelter elsewhere.
He said, the victims are now in desperate situation of shelter after their homes were blown down.
“The victims are now calling on the responsible authorities to immediately provide tents for shelter.”
Apart from homes, food gardens, crops, vegetables food trees were uprooted and swept by strong wind and flood.
There were reports of injuries and casualties as result of falling branches and coconut trees.
Malaita Provincial Disaster Officer in Auki Pearson Simi said,five assessment teams are expected to be sentto East, South and North Malaitathis week.
“The assessment teams will conduct verifications and assessment in each community in the province that were reportedly affected by the strong wind and heavy rain.”
Assessments are expected to be completed this weekend.
Once completed a report will be compiled and sent to the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) for further consideration before help can be provided.
Apart from Malaita parts of Eastern outer islands have also been affected.
By WILLIAM EKOTANI
In Auki
