Solomon Islands: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

- 10 deaths confirmed so far; 11 people reported as missing.

- Affected areas include Guadalcanal Island, Malaita, Makira and Central Provinces.

- Initial reports indicate clean water, shelter, food and medical supplies as the priority needs.

- Joint assessments are ongoing, though constrained by access and communication difficulties.

- On 3 February, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared 12 wards in northwest Guadalcanal to be in a 'state of disaster'.

- On 5 February, the Government of Solomon Islands (SI) officially requested for international assistance.

II. Situation Overview

Heavy rains since 29 January have caused flooding in a number of areas of the Solomon Islands (SI). Four provinces are reported to have been affected: Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira and Central. As of 6 February, 10 deaths have been confirmed and 11 people are reported to be missing.

There is yet no clear picture on the total number of affected and displaced population, and the extent of humanitarian needs and damage to infrastructure. Still, initial reports indicate clean water, shelter, food and medical supplies as priority needs.

III. Humanitarian Needs and Response

On behalf of the Government, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is responsible for the overall coordination of relief response to the flood affected areas. The overall humanitarian needs and gaps across sectors will be confirmed upon the completion of the joint assessments. However the following response efforts are underway:

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Various agencies, including World Vision and a French Patrol boat distributed water to affected communities. In response to the appeal from the NDMO, the Government of Japan has provided 20 water tanks (3,700 litres), 1,200 (20 litre) jerry cans, and 20 sets of water purification equipment.

Health

Initial assessments indicate damage of some health infrastructure as well as damage to medical stocks. An increase in incidences of water-borne diseases, malaria, dengue fever, skin, ear and respiratory infections are also expected. A medical team, with supplies has been deployed from the Guadalcanal Province to the affected areas, both for treatment and preventative purposes, including messaging on health awareness.

Based on reports of lack of reproductive kits in some health facilities, UNFPA is providing 502 safe delivery kits to the Ministry of Home for distribution in affected areas.

Food and Nutrition

Food is a priority as most of the food gardens are reportedly damaged. The Provincial Government led distribution centers are located at Aruligo, Kodovele and Maravovo (Selwyn College). Food rations include rice for one month and water containers.

Non-Food Items (NFI)

Tarpaulins and mosquito nets are considered to be the most needed relief items. The SI Red Cross has to date distributed 165 family kits. Other agencies, including the Rotary Club are also distributing NFI kits.

Shelter

The total number of houses destroyed or damaged is still to be ascertained. Displaced people, whose number is yet to be ascertained, are reportedly living in temporary shelters as well as being accommodated by neighbours. If the situation prolongs, this might stretch the coping capacities of the host families.

Protection

Even if no violent incidents are reported to date, considering the general prevalence of gender-based violence and child protection incidents in SI, it is recommended that protection issues are addressed across all sectors, including equal access to services/distribution and attention to groups with specific vulnerabilities and protection risks.

Logistics

All bridges between Tamboko and Kohimara are out-of-action, effectively limiting road transport to an area no more than 25km west of Honiara, the capital of SI. These areas are accessible by boats only. In order to respond to the needs of sea transportation, police patrol boats have been arranged by the Government through NDMO to transport relief supplies to the affected communities. Guadalcanal Province also purchased two boats with the assistance of Japanese international Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ministry of Home.

Tele-communication

Communication has been one of the major constraints for information flow from the field to Honiara. SI Red Cross is being supported by New Zealand Red Cross to establish a better communication network by setting up repeaters to enable communication between the field and Honiara.

Coordination

- On 5 February, the NDMO held a stakeholder meeting to provide an overview on the situation and get updates from agencies/ministries involved. The next stakeholder meeting is scheduled for 9 February (to be confirmed).

- On 6 February, UN agencies and NGOs held a coordination meeting to clarify who does what, where and to strengthen coordination amongst the international humanitarian community.

- Two OCHA staff have been deployed to the NDMO in Honiara to support information management, reporting and overall coordination of response. The Regional Disaster Response Adviser for the Pacific will join the OCHA team on 9 February.

IV. Funding

- The NDMO has an earmarked budget for emergency response for S$2m (US$330,000). Of this S$500,000 (US$80,000) has already been committed to the flood response in Guadalcanal. The NDMO has further requested S$1m (US$165,000) to cover additional needs in Malaita and Central provinces, which awaits approval from the Government.

- The Government of New Zealand has pledged NZ$100,000 (SBD$555,000) as immediate assistance, including for establishment of the Guadalcanal Provincial Government Operations Centre.

- The Government of Australia provided AUS$100,000 (USD 64,490) for immediate response, half of which goes to NDMO and the rest to the SI Red Cross.

- The Government of Japan provided water sanitation equipment equivalent to 10 million Japanese Yen (USD 108,800).

- The Government of Taiwan has provided 500 KG of rice and some cash for disaster response.

V. Contact

OCHA New York
Ms. Aditee Maskey
Tel: +1 212 963 0910

OCHA ROAP Bangkok
Mr. Markus Werne
Tel: +66 81 917 8940

OCHA Solomon Islands
Mr. Craig Williams
Tel: +677 49767

OCHA Pacific
Mr. Peter Muller
Tel: +679 9991664