AN estimated 100,000 people across six of Solomon Islands’ eight provinces have been affected by two weeks of torrential rain and strong winds.
As of last Wednesday, the Director of the National Disaster Management Office, Loti Yates, said they were still to get a clear picture of the situation, and have yet to hear from Temotu and Rennell and Bellona provinces.
Mr. Yates said about 300 to 400 houses are thought to have been destroyed and he said many of these people will be sheltering with relatives, or using emergency shelter kits provided by the Red Cross.
He said the critical issue was the destruction of food gardens and what it means for food security.
“Our communities here, a lot of them use river banks where it is usually very fertile to plant food. Most of our people do their stuff in the valley areas, where, when there is inundation, heavy rain, they are easily under water.”
Loti Yates said there were also concerns about water supply, hygiene, and sanitation.
Mr. Yates said the government was already speaking with donor partners about possible assistance.
Meanwhile, several overseas donor partners and non-government organizations have already acted in response with relief supplies this week.
