Voluntary Repatriation Makes Steady Progress

Voluntary Repatriation Makes Steady Progress

Voluntary repatriation in the Evacuation Centers is making steady progress as government continues to rehabilitate flood victims in Honiara and parts of Guadalcanal.

This has resulted in the closure of 13 evacuation centers on April 18 while 14 other centers are still in active operation. Out of a total of 10,092 displaced persons, 1,629 have been repatriated while 8,463 are still living in the evacuation centers.

Based on a summary report on April 24, East Honiara has recorded the highest IDPs of 5,258, followed by Central Honiara with 2,322, West Honiara with 343 and Guadalcanal Province 540.

Initial Damage Assessments (IDA) conducted by the Ministry of Lands and Housing
together with the Solomon Islands Red Cross has established that a total of 253 houses were destroyed with approximately 30 houses along the Mataniko completely washed away during the floods.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) with its partner humanitarian agencies is continuing to provide relief assistance to people still living in the evacuation centers.

NDMO is also working closely with IDPs and School authorities to repatriate victims back to their homes to allow schools that are used as evacuation centers to resume classes.

Authorities are also discussing and developing plans for transitional and permanent shelter for people whose homes have been destroyed.

The NDMO have now confirmed a total of 22 people dead across the country with 18 in Honiara, 2 on Guadalcanal and 2 in Isabel province.

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