Central Province Completes Initial Damage Assessment for Savo and Russell Islands Following Tropical Cyclone Maila; Recovery Efforts Underway

TULAGI, CENTRAL PROVINCE – The Central Province Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) has completed the Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila. The assessment, conducted with support from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) confirms there has been some humanitarian and infrastructure damage across the two island groups, signaling a need for sustained recovery interventions.

The assessment reveals destruction to residential structures disrupting household functionality for several families which is further compromised by e damage to kitchens and loss of cooking and eating utensils. This is severely affecting the daily living conditions and food preparation capabilities of affected families. Currently, on Savo Island one displaced family is being accommodated by close relatives.

In the livelihood sector, although the impact is minimal there is still reports of damaged to food gardens, fruit trees, backyard food gardens  and reduced copra production. These losses are likely to disrupted household income-generating activities and lead to food shortages.

In the health sector, while most of the health facilities in the two islands remain operational, there remains public health risks due to damaged water wells, and polluted streams which people are currently using to bathe and prepare food. However, three weeks after the impacts of TC Maila the communities through their own initiatives are slowing returning their lives to normal.

A situation report on the assessment is currently being developed based on the IDA. When complete the report will be used by authorities to determine the level of response the Province or the National Government will take to assist those affected.

The government through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) remains fully committed to completing these assessments with urgency. Timely completion is critical to facilitating the delivery of essential aid and initiating vital recovery efforts for the affected populations.

Central Province PERT officer conduction interviews in Russell Islands

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