BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
AUSTRALIA together with UNDP in partnership with the National Disaster Management Office has strengthened the capacity of Provincial Disaster Management Offices in Central, Makira, and Temotu province.
On August 13, Australia in partnership with UNDP through NDMO handover three new Yamaha 23-foot boats, 60 horsepower Yamaha engines plus stationery items to support disaster preparedness and response operations in the three provinces.
This is part and parcel of the broader rollout of the NDMP 2018 and will support the preparedness efforts of provinces and resourcing the PDMOs and their respective Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs).
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Dr. Melchior thank UNDP and Australia’s support over the years.
“We are grateful indeed for the partnering with UNDP and DFAT. This allowed us to address critical areas of our capacity to prepare and respond to emergency events, including the logistic capability of PDMOs to support provincial governments in their disaster risk management operations implementation,’’ he said.
The Australian High Commissioner, Dr. Lachlan Strahan, noted the important role provincial disaster offices have in supporting provinces to prepare for and respond to disasters.
“I have recently visited the three provinces. In each case, the PDMO provides an essential service to communities often separated by a significant distance. Australia is so pleased to be part of this strong partnership to step up national and provincial disaster preparedness and response,’’ echoed Strahan.
UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager, Mr. Berdi Berdiyev, reiterated the commitment to support the SIG’s disaster response capability and broader resilience efforts on climate change, natural disasters, including recent volcanic activity on Savo Island and COVID-19 preparedness efforts.
Mr. Berdiyev said that through coordination, collaboration, and ongoing support from all development partners, the Government has a robust plan for responding to natural disasters.
“UNDP will continue to work alongside SIG and international partners to support the government’s ability to understand, communicate and reduce risk, while effectively managing the risk that remains,” he said.
The inventiveness was part of the Disaster Risk Management project with NDMO and Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology principally implemented by the UN Development Programme with financial support from the Australian Government.
The handover, which took place in Honiara on August 13, was part of two boats and engines provided in October of 2020 to Choiseul and Western Provinces.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Existed in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
