The Australian Government, Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) have stepped in to provide food supplies that will be distributed to identified families within the Honiara Emergency Zone during the lockdown period.
A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) today (Thursday 27th January) said the donation was received by the Livelihood Sector Committee (LSC) on Wednesday at the MAL Headquarter in Honiara.
Australia’s assistance include 22,000 x 20kg Rice, and 7000 carton canned tuna while PRC donated 1000 x 40 pounds bag rice, 200 canned tuna (medium) and 100 canned tuna (baby Taiyo), Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) gave 15 tonnes of rice (1,488 x 20kg rice) and also supplied six containers for storage.
LSC Chairman of the National Disaster Operations Committee (N-DOC) Michael Ho’ota thanked the three parties for their timely support.
Mr Ho’ota said LSC is pleased to receive the support which will be distributed by the LSC response team to those families within the Honiara Emergency Zone who may be in dire need of food supply during the four days lockdown.
The Honiara Emergency Zone is in lockdown from 6pm Tuesday 25th to 6pm Saturday 29th 2022.
Mr Ho’ota said such lavish support and collaboration in difficult times like this is overwhelming as it will help sustain livelihoods of our people.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock (MAL) Ethel Frances also acknowledged the support provided by the Australian Government, PRC and SIPA, business houses and market vendors that will be distributed by LSC response team to assist families during the lockdown.
She added the Livelihood response team will work through ward committees and community committees with distributions to start tomorrow (Friday 28th January 2022).
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock as chair of the livelihood committee wants to appeal to people to ensure they observe all COVID rules when distributing and collecting their food. There is enough food for everyone so please consider your neighbours when collecting food,” Ms Frances said.
The LSC of the National Disaster Operations Committee (N-DOC) is co-headed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Ministry of Fisheries and Honiara City Council together with other stakeholders and partners.
The Committee is working closely with Honiara City Council on the food delivery mechanism.
