Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon Clay Forau delivered food and funds donated by the MSG Secretariat staff at Port Vila and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff to the National Disaster Council (NDC).
The donation was delivered by Mr. Forau to the Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), Mr Melchior Mataki at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade office at the Melanesia Haus complex.
During the ceremony, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Beraki Jino thanked the staff of the Ministry for their effort in raising over $10,000.00 during two fundraising events that enabled them to deliver 61 bags of rice towards the flood recovery efforts.
“Our staff decided that perhaps in a small way, we can also contribute and be part of the disaster appeal efforts. We hope that our assistance will make a little bit of difference to the lives of those who are affected by the recent floods”, Mr Jino said.
The funds were raised during their fortnightly fundraising through card games and selling of food and drinks.
Meanwhile, the MSG Secretariat staff has also donated 452,000 vatu (SBD$31,800) towards the recent flood recovery efforts after a successful one-day flood fundraising appeal held at the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Held on 11th April, the flood appeal fundraising attracted so many Vanuatu business houses and citizens from Vanuatu who flocked out to support the appeal.
Deputy Director General of MSG Secretariat, Mr Molean Kilepal expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support drawn from the Vanuatu public that lasted only from lunch hour on Friday until 8pm at night.
The amount of money raised was through support in kind, cash donations from Kaljoral Senta and the Public Institute of Public Policy (PIPP), raffle tickets for various prizes that ranged from a return ticket to Santo Island, shopping vouchers from WILCO hardware shop and money derived from food sales.
The fundraising saw the turnout of many companies and people of Vanuatu as well as USP Emalus Campus staff, Solomon Islands Students Association and the Solomon Islands community in Vanuatu.
Money raised during the appeal fundraising was 402,000 vatu. The MSG Secretariat contributed an additional 50,000 vatu towards the appeal that amounted to a 452,000 vatu bank cheque made out to the Solomon Islands Government.
Chairman of NDC, Melchior Mataki was very thankful of the two separate donations and acknowledge the Ministry’s staff for their foresight and hard work towards the recovery efforts.
“Suck token of kindness is important but challenging. For this is about Solomon Islanders helping Solomon Islanders”, Mr Mataki said.
“Your gesture and support is very much appreciated for this is about our people digging deeper in their pockets to help their countrymen”, he said.
Mr Mataki, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, said the such small gestures from citizens is important for external assistance only supplements what the country already has internally.
Mr Mataki also thanked the MSG Secretariat staff and the Port Villa community for their overwhelming support for the recovery efforts following last months’ flash floods that killed t least 22 people leaving thousands homeless.