Two communities in Western Province who have their disaster and emergency committee setup by Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Solomon Islands through its Church Agency Network Disaster Operations (CANDO) Disaster Ready 2 Project have activated during this cyclone Maila.
The communities are Sasaghana in Central Marovo Lagoon and Kokeqolo Communities in Munda Western Provice have now activated their emergency and disaster committee as impact of Cyclone Maila affected their communities.
March 16th – March 20th CANDO with the help of Western Provincial Disaster Officer Alex Hamilton from Rendova conducted CBDRM training and Evacuation Centre management training at Sasaghana SDA Village in Marovo.
From the training the Disaster management plan was developed with Evacuation centre management plan alongside formation of disaster management committee and Evacuation centre management committee. The VDCRC – Village Disaster Climate Resilient Committee and Evacuation Centre Management committee has activated their plans and evacuate 5 households with total of 19 people mostly women and children into the Church building for safety.
So far from the EC manager reported that 1 house has its roof ripped off by the strong wind, 1 house totally damage, 1 residential already has its post hanging and about to fall. 2 bridges in village that connect families to the main village washed away.
Raynick Jack, ADRA Emergency National Coordinator who was informed this week by Sasaghana Disaster and Emergency Center Manager Hilton George said the training conducted in early March was timely and very useful especially when the plans and steps are still fresh in their minds.
“We respond accordingly from what we have learnt and able to help our community members evacuate safely into the Evacuation centre. We make awareness to the community as we knew bad weather is coming and community are alerted; we also learn of the importance of preparedness and have savings set aside especially for emergency like this’’
‘’There will be need for food as food gardens are washed out by the heavy rain, with fruit trees blown down by the strong wind. We are expecting food shortage soon as small canteens and nearby stores will have many people buying food for their family,’’Mr Jack said.
Meanwhile Mr Jack Thanked CANDO, ADRA and Western Provincial Disaster Officer- NDMO staff for the timely preparedness training done for our community before the cyclone strikes. Cyclone Maila really tested our disaster response plan and given us a real hands-on practice.
Apart from Sasaghana, Kokeqolo Disaster committee has also activated their plans and help making awareness to community members and help community members leaving along the cost to evacuate to safe places.
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[ADRA Media]
