Families affected by the severe Tropical Cyclone Pam in Temotu Province will soon receive their relief items thanks to World Vision.
More than 1,000 people in Temotu’s remote islands of Tikopia, Anuta and the Reef Islands have been badly affected with widespread damage and destruction to homes and livelihoods.
World Vision Solomon Islands with the support from donors and partners dispatched 305 family kits and 305 livelihood kits as part of its initial relief assistance for Tikopia and Anuta over the weekend together, with food items from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
World Vision is supporting a multi-sectoral relief effort coordinated by the NDMO.
World Vision has provided non-food items such as family kits which include pots, plates, spoons and cups, hygiene kits which include soap, towels and buckets and livelihood kits which include seeds, fertilizer, bush knife, spade, hammer and nails, jerry cans and other relief items.
The New Zealand Government has contributed NZD$106,175 (SBD 618,975) towards World Vision’s response to Tropical Cyclone Pam in Solomon Islands, as well as for the replenishment of World Vision’s pre-positioned supplies in Temotu Province.
“New Zealand has a strong cultural connection with Tikopia so in this spirit we are helping them recover from the disaster and rebuild their homes and livelihoods,” says New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Marion Crawshaw when she handed over the items to be shipped to Temotu last Friday.
World Vision Solomon Islands has also received a USD$ 50,000 (SBD$385,500) grant from USAID for the relief response.
“It is our hope that our grant will assist in a small way to help in the recovery effort for the people of Temotu affected by the disaster,” says Keithie Saunders, United States Consular Agent in Solomon Islands. “United States will always stand ready to assist whenever it can.”
World Vision support offices of World Vision Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA and Taiwan donated USD$45,000 towards relief efforts in Temotu mainly for procurement and logistic services.
World Vision is currently procuring and packing more items to support its relief distribution to the Reef Islands ready for the next shipment.
“We are grateful for the New Zealand and United States Government support for the recovery efforts to the people of Temotu particularly Tikopia, Anuta and Reef Islands,” says WVSI Country Director, Mr Janes Ginting.
“The assistance will go a long way in supporting the affected communities in rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.”
World Vision officers from Honiara and Lata are currently helping out in the assessment and relief distribution on the affected islands.
