Solomon Govt Requests ADB To Coordinate Donors

Solomon Islands Government Requests ADB To Coordinate Donors Effort In Tsunami

Honiara, Solomon Islands (16 April 2007)-In the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, people are starting to talk about reconstruction of their communities.

“Sound infrastructure is vital to bringing normality back to peoples’ lives,” said Solomon Islands Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

“We want to see economic activity flourishing in the west once again,” he said.

The Solomon Islands Government has formally requested and passed a resolution in Cabinet for ADB to coordinate donor efforts in the tsunami affected areas in the Solomon Islands. “We have asked ADB to assist the government in leading coordination of the recovery process which is just beginning,” said Permanent Secretary for Planning and Aid Coordination Jane Wa’etara.

“Our main task now is to draw up an early recovery action plan for the two affected provinces in the west,” she said.

Ms Wa’etara heads the Technical Advisory Team which is developing short, medium and long term activities related to recovery and rehabilitation.

The government has established sub-committees in the areas of: health, housing, education, infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. These sub-committees will form the basis of the government’s recovery program.

“We are working with United Nations emergency response teams, donor partners, civil society groups, and other organizations who have been doing a great job during the emergency phase, getting supplies and shelter to those who most need it,” said Naomi Chakwin, Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office.

“Together we can be more responsive to the development needs of the people in Gizo and Choiseul. Right now, as much as possible, we need to help these people return to their normal lives. The transition to early recovery and eventual rehabilitation will occur over the next six months.”

ADB has prepared an early assessment of infrastructure damage, in particular roads, bridges, and wharfs. 26 bridges in Choiseul and 8 in Gizo will need to be replaced along with about 30 kilometres of road.

Naomi Chakwin continued: “In Gizo and South Choiseul the bridges that connected communities are gone. That means the people are cut off from markets, hospitals, schools, and other essential services.

“The international community is behind government efforts to restore basic infrastructure such as water supply, sanitation, and telecommunications.”

The devastating earthquake and tsunami struck on 2 April, leaving 52 people dead, and many people homeless. Trauma has been identified by the Solomon Islands National Disaster Council (NDC) as being one of the biggest problems facing survivors.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2006, it approved loans and grants for projects totaling $8.5 billion, and technical assistance amounting to almost $242 million.

ENDS

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