NDC Chairman responds to Transparency Solomon Islands on SBD$75 million Cyclone Maila Recovery Fund

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), Mr. David Hiba Hiriasia, has acknowledged the concerns raised by Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) regarding the Government’s SBD$75 million Tropical Cyclone Maila Recovery Fund, and welcomed public interest in ensuring transparency and accountability in recovery efforts.

Mr. Hiriasia assured all affected communities in Western and Choiseul Provinces that the Government remains fully committed to delivering on its shelter recovery commitments.

“This is the first time in more than 20 years that the Government is undertaking a shelter recovery programme of this scale through a dedicated disaster recovery funding mechanism.”

“Following Cabinet approval, the Government has established the National Disaster Council Special Fund to support Tropical Cyclone Maila shelter recovery. While funds are yet to be accessed from the Special Fund, procurement and material sourcing activities are already underway through existing Government arrangements,” Hiriasia said.

He said the NDC, working closely with hardware suppliers on the ground, has already secured materials for the first 20 houses in Gizo and continues to procure and prepare additional building materials and hardware to support the wider shelter recovery programme.

“The Government’s priority remains supporting families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Maila. Appropriate financial, procurement and accountability processes have been established to ensure public funds are used lawfully, transparently and for their intended purpose,” he added.

The NDC is also working closely with the Western Provincial Government and other stakeholders to validate damage assessment reports and beneficiary lists.

“This is to ensure that all eligible households are captured, assistance reaches those most affected, and no family is left behind. The validation process also provides safeguards against duplication, favoritism and political interference,” the Chairman said.

Mr. Hiriasia assured the people of Western and Choiseul Provinces that the shelter recovery programme will proceed and that affected households will begin seeing results within the next two months.

He also confirmed that in addition to Government efforts, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Shelter Recovery Project for Simbo is expected to be handed over next week, subject to final arrangements, providing additional support to affected communities.

On the ongoing El Niño-induced drought, Mr. Hiriasia said the Government continues to respond to impacts affecting communities nationwide.

With support from the Australian Government, emergency water assistance has already been delivered to Rennell and Bellona Province. Western Province, particularly Gizo, is now the next priority area for water response.

“Through this partnership, approximately 400,000 liters of water will be delivered to Western Province using the vessel ADV Reliant in the coming days. We continue to urge all Solomon Islanders to conserve water as drought conditions are expected to persist through November and December,” Hiriasia said.

The National Government remains committed to keeping the public informed and ensuring that assistance reaches all eligible families fairly, transparently and effectively.

-ENDS-