THE Livelihood Sector Committee (LSC) of the National Disaster Operation Committees (N-DOC) has received with boundless gratitude yet another major delivery of relief food assistance from the Australian Government on Monday this week for its food distribution program to households within the Honiara Emergency Zone.
The delivery includes 14,000 bags of rice and 3,126 cartons of Solomon Blue Tuna. This second round of support is in response to the committee’s findings that there are many missing houses but this will be the last for this food relieve to Honiara Emergency Zone.
Australia’s first relief assistance in response to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s call for support as the country continue its fight to manage and control the pandemic (Covid-19) community transmission was delivered to LSC on January 27th which included 22,000 of 20kg bags of rice and 7,000 cartons of tuna.
With the second delivery, it brings the total support from Australia to-date towards the Committee’s food distribution program to 36,000 bags of rice and 10,126 cartons of Tuna.
The donated goods will be distributed by the LSC distribution team to households within the Honiara Emergency Zone to sustain them during these Covid-19 restrictions.
Receiving the additional support is the Permanent Secretary of MAL, Ethel Tebengi Frances.
“Let me thank you on behalf of our people and government for this commitment to support us. Your commitment to ensuring this food relieve is completed is truly appreciated,”PS Frances said as she acknowledged the Australia High Commission during the delivery.
Chairman of LSC, Michael Ho’ota also acknowledged Australian Government for the generous support.
Mr. Ho’ota assured the Australian Government and its people that the additional relief supplies will be distributed to support all household in the Emergency Zone.
“To date, we have delivered to 80 per cent of Honiara households with the initial donations and government purchased goods.
“Food distribution is continuing and it is the government’s commitment that every households within the Honiara Emergency Zone must receive a share from the relief food assistance,” the Livelihood Chair said.
Mr. Ho’ota acknowledged the assistance provided by donor partners, business houses in Honiara, Market Vendor Association and individuals who have step in with food assistance and logistic support during these difficult times as the country continue its fight against Covid-19.
Meanwhile, there are two response plans that the Livelihood Sector Committee is undertaking. First is relief response to ships on lockdown, to isolated communities and households (Isolation households) that on isolation after a member or members of their families are tested positive for Covid-19, and relief response to the general public which is delivered to households through Wards/Community committees.
The LSC is co-led 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.
Source: MAL Media
