-Communities in Simbo receive initial relief supplies from provincial government
-National government supplies on the way
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
COMMUNITIES on Simbo Island have begun receiving much-needed relief supplies following the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila.
Four boats loaded with rice were deployed to the island yesterday to assist families who lost primary food sources.
Three small boats and a high-powered police vessel transported hundreds of 20kg bags of rice along with provincial staff.
The deployed provincial team is tasked with carrying out assessments to inform a larger relief operation expected to take place later this week.
Acting Chairperson of Western Province’s Provincial Disaster Committee, Collin Potakana, said the initial supplies are intended to sustain affected communities while they await more substantial assistance.
“We cannot wait for the supplies coming from the national government, we have to act and that is what we are doing now.
“We are distributing these food supplies to sustain the families while we wait for assistance from the national disaster office,” he said.
Potakana believes the emergency supplies would help communities cope in the short term until the main distribution of relief items begins.
He said another team is scheduled to travel to Vella today with additional food supplies for communities severely impacted by the cyclone was cancelled due to poor weather condition.
“Our team will be in Vella today. They will do exactly what the team did in Simbo – distribute food and also carry out assessments,” he said.
Potakana said the ongoing assessments will complement reports already received by the Emergency Call Centre before, during, and after the cyclone, ensuring a more coordinated and effective response in the coming days.
Meanwhile, in press statement from the National Disaster Council (NDC) yesterday, NDC Chairman, David Hiba Hiriasia said while Western and Choiseul provinces were declared on Friday as disaster zones, relief operations will also cover affected areas in Isabel, Central and Guadalcanal provinces.
He said the deployment of emergency relief supplies which include critical medical supplies, food, water and temporary shelter kits and other basic non-food items is critical for the survival of the impacted communities.
Photo: Supplied
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