A friend in need is a friend indeed
A blogging lull
It was a week since I last posted to this blog.
The past week has been a very hectic time as the earthquake and tsunami was the focus of the media. It was the talk of every Solomon Islanders. I too was caught up in trying to make sense of the a disaster of such magnitude. So here is MyBlog, back and posting.
Earthquake Death Toll Update
The National Disaster Management Office says the death toll from last Monday’s earthquake and tsunami stands at 39.
The previous number of deaths reported for Simbo of 12 has been confirmed to only 9. Reports coming in from the areas affected by the disaster revealed that a number of missing people have yet to be accounted for. Of the death toll, Gizo Island’s fatalities reached 20. The actual number will not be known until after ground teams put their assessment reports together.
A Mammoth Task
Choiseul Provincial Premier Jackson Kiloe was among other people who have expressed disappointment at the delay in the delivery of emergency assistance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami which struck the Western and Choiseul Provinces.
Jackson Kiloe says he was disappointed at finding that victims of the worst affected areas in South Choiseul with half the province's population of more than 20-thousand are still struggling to survive without any form of assistance. Premier Kiloe says the magnitude of the disaster is beyond the ability of the provincial government to cope.
UN praises work
United Nations Agencies working with the National Disaster management Office have described as very outstanding the job and coordination jointly carried out by the organisations.
UN Resident Coordinator for Operational Activities in Solomon Islands Richard Victors says the N-D-M-O had done exceptionally well in dealing with all sorts of activities to help affected people under very trying circumstances. He says through the cooperative efforts by UNDAC and the NDMO major amounts of relief supplies are reaching the people affected. Mr Victors says the situation in Solomon Islands is probably the most difficult one he had seen taking into account the scatteredness of the islands and villages, the lack of infrastructure and the trauma the people are going through.
MyBlog comments
The earthquake and resulting tsunami which hit the Western and Provinces has highlighted the unpredictable natural disaster.
It seems nothing invented by man so far can nullify such an event that can cause such destruction, amongst the worst witnessed so far in Solomon Islands. Of cause events far greater than last Monday's calamity had happened many times in the past in other countries. It just showed the powerlessness that man has on nature. With more reports flowing in from remote locations that the tsunami has struck, the number of death toll is likely to increase.
MyBlog can understand why people feel that relief supplies was slow in reaching the victims of the disaster. But considering the economic state Solomon Islands is in, it was impossible for help to get to the people. Following the recent social unrest, the country was just to a large extent relying on help from overseas donors and development partners. Had it not for them including the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, there could have and would be more deaths. Solomon Islanders, especially those in the Western and Choiseul provinces are thankful and indebted for such timely help.
The event also highlights a strength of humanity, the will for people to go out their way to help the needy and those in distress. Help from both local and overseas sources are testimony of that powerful and unifying force for the good and comfort of their fellow brothers and sisters. In Solomon Islands, small groups such churches, provinces, clubs, etc are doing their bit to raise funds or donate what they can towards the relief efforts. MyBlog salutes all who have contributed one way or another to those efforts.
But a word of caution, the country calls for transparency and accountability for those who are tasked to manage and perform such mammoth relief work for the victims of the disaster.
MyBlog sympathises with the people who have lost their property and loved ones in the disaster and wish them quick recovery.
It was a week since I last posted to this blog.
The past week has been a very hectic time as the earthquake and tsunami was the focus of the media. It was the talk of every Solomon Islanders. I too was caught up in trying to make sense of the a disaster of such magnitude. So here is MyBlog, back and posting.
Earthquake Death Toll Update
The National Disaster Management Office says the death toll from last Monday’s earthquake and tsunami stands at 39.
The previous number of deaths reported for Simbo of 12 has been confirmed to only 9. Reports coming in from the areas affected by the disaster revealed that a number of missing people have yet to be accounted for. Of the death toll, Gizo Island’s fatalities reached 20. The actual number will not be known until after ground teams put their assessment reports together.
A Mammoth Task
Choiseul Provincial Premier Jackson Kiloe was among other people who have expressed disappointment at the delay in the delivery of emergency assistance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami which struck the Western and Choiseul Provinces.
Jackson Kiloe says he was disappointed at finding that victims of the worst affected areas in South Choiseul with half the province's population of more than 20-thousand are still struggling to survive without any form of assistance. Premier Kiloe says the magnitude of the disaster is beyond the ability of the provincial government to cope.
UN praises work
United Nations Agencies working with the National Disaster management Office have described as very outstanding the job and coordination jointly carried out by the organisations.
UN Resident Coordinator for Operational Activities in Solomon Islands Richard Victors says the N-D-M-O had done exceptionally well in dealing with all sorts of activities to help affected people under very trying circumstances. He says through the cooperative efforts by UNDAC and the NDMO major amounts of relief supplies are reaching the people affected. Mr Victors says the situation in Solomon Islands is probably the most difficult one he had seen taking into account the scatteredness of the islands and villages, the lack of infrastructure and the trauma the people are going through.
MyBlog comments
The earthquake and resulting tsunami which hit the Western and Provinces has highlighted the unpredictable natural disaster.
It seems nothing invented by man so far can nullify such an event that can cause such destruction, amongst the worst witnessed so far in Solomon Islands. Of cause events far greater than last Monday's calamity had happened many times in the past in other countries. It just showed the powerlessness that man has on nature. With more reports flowing in from remote locations that the tsunami has struck, the number of death toll is likely to increase.
MyBlog can understand why people feel that relief supplies was slow in reaching the victims of the disaster. But considering the economic state Solomon Islands is in, it was impossible for help to get to the people. Following the recent social unrest, the country was just to a large extent relying on help from overseas donors and development partners. Had it not for them including the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, there could have and would be more deaths. Solomon Islanders, especially those in the Western and Choiseul provinces are thankful and indebted for such timely help.
The event also highlights a strength of humanity, the will for people to go out their way to help the needy and those in distress. Help from both local and overseas sources are testimony of that powerful and unifying force for the good and comfort of their fellow brothers and sisters. In Solomon Islands, small groups such churches, provinces, clubs, etc are doing their bit to raise funds or donate what they can towards the relief efforts. MyBlog salutes all who have contributed one way or another to those efforts.
But a word of caution, the country calls for transparency and accountability for those who are tasked to manage and perform such mammoth relief work for the victims of the disaster.
MyBlog sympathises with the people who have lost their property and loved ones in the disaster and wish them quick recovery.
posted by Myblog | 10:31 pm
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