OXFAM Solomon Islands have joined assessment teams deployed to Guadalcanal Province this week as disaster response authorities mobilise to reach areas affected by the recent bad weather.
Teams have been deployed to visit areas affected in the eastern and western parts of the province led by the Guadalcanal Provincial disaster response unit with support from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
The primary objective is to make proper ground assessment of damages reported to make way for aid and relief supplies.
Oxfam Country Director Dolores Devesi says the organisation is pleased to have been called on to join the assessment mission, and called for swift action by those involved.
A day after New Year, Oxfam staff members joined emergency workers at NDMO to assist monitor and assess the damages caused by the bad weather.
“We are happy to help at this time of disaster and we will make our assistance provided to our best of capabilities,” said Ms Devesi.
“At this stage we are providing assistance for personnel and logistics support. I hope the assessment work will be a swift process that can enable us to take more engaging steps to help the affected communities.
“Our Resilience and Humanitarian program is taking lead with our involvement. We are committed to support Guadalcanal province however we can and we hope to reach as many communities as possible.”
Oxfam’s Resilience and Humanitarian program is also directly involved with 16 communities in both East and West Guadalcanal. According to reports submitted to NDMO, nine of Oxfam’s partner communities are reported to have been affected by the bad weather.
NDMO’s recent situation report suggests as much as over 4,000 homes have been affected by the recent bad weather over six provinces and in Honiara.
An estimated figure of 23,708 people are believed to have been directly affected.
The assessment efforts however will finalize the figures to make way for proper assistance.