Australia will support the deployment of provincial assessment teams following cyclone Raquel.
A statement from the Australian High Commission office in Honiara said, the teams will assess the level of damage to households, livelihoods and infrastructure caused by the cyclone.
“Australia is very pleased to support the deployment of provincial assessment teams, as a crucial part of Solomon Islands’ response to Cyclone Raquel,” said Acting Australian High Commissioner Dr Dave Peebles.
“These teams will enable the National Disaster Management Office and Solomon Islands Government to get people on the ground quickly to obtain first-hand information on the impact of the cyclone,” said Dr Peebles.
“The provision of timely assessment information will be very important to ensure the right assistance is given to communities following this event,” said Mr Loti Yates, the Director of the National Disaster Management Office.
The assessment team will use one of the Australian-funded Pacific Patrol boats, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force vessel, Lata, to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to remote communities. Australia will fund fuel and rations for the fourteen crew members.
“Australia is proud to support the Lata and her crew, and their ongoing efforts to respond to critical events like the cyclone,” said Dr Peebles.
Australia will work with the National Disaster Management Office to deploy assessment teams as soon as possible.
