Latest news with #SolomonIslanders
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Climate crisis message shared
A Wānaka teenager is touring New Zealand to encourage other students to help those in need after he spent 40 hours in a cage and kayaked the length of Lake Wānaka to raise funds for World Vision. Former Mount Aspiring College student James Watson travelled to the Solomon Islands with World Vision recently and saw the devastating impact climate change has had on children and families. The 18-year-old is now sharing the stories of those he met as part of his role as a Youth Ambassador for the World Vision 40-Hour Challenge. He is visiting more than 100 schools in the lower North Island to inspire students to go 40 hours offline and raise funds to support children affected by hunger in the Solomon Islands. Mr Watson was moved by the daily struggles of Solomon Islanders, who do not get enough to eat each day due to the climate crisis. He recalled meeting 9-year-old Polyne, who had big dreams of playing football and becoming a nurse but faced challenges. "Polyne has the heart and determination to make these happen, but she faces a huge roadblock — lack of food. "Even the giant taro that once could feed an entire family is no longer growing in her community. It broke my heart to see how this severe lack of food has become normal for them." Spending this valuable time in the Solomon Islands gave Mr Watson perspective and left him feeling New Zealand society could be very self-focused. "We have an inclination to be all me, me, me. We forget that there are young people in other parts of the world who can't follow their dreams because they are struggling to get enough to eat each day," he said. As a result, he encouraged peers to view the world as their one and only home. Mr Watson has a long history with the World Vision 40-Hour Challenge and has tested himself with some big challenges, namely kayaking the length of Lake Wanaka and living in a cage for 40 hours to help raise funds for the campaign. "I am excited to be carrying on with this kaupapa to make a difference for rangatahi who aren't being afforded basic human rights, like getting enough food. I hope New Zealand students will get behind the campaign this year so tamariki in Solomon Islands can follow their dreams just like we can here," he said. "By giving something up we learn to connect with others, and we learn to be grateful for all the privileges we have in life." Mr Watson's challenge this year will include going offline for 40 hours while he films 40 conversations about hope. "In Solomon Islands we saw how much the people valued connecting with each other face-to-face and back here I saw how we have lost some of that ... I will be asking 40 people to share their stories of hope. I want to show that everyone has a story to tell, and that's what makes us human. Just like Polyne has a story and hope." The World Vision 40-Hour Challenge runs from June 13-15, with sign-ups and donations via the website. — APL
West Australian
13-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Land squeeze threatens climate-exposed islanders
The Walande community is running out of space to grow food and build homes. Sea level rise threatens the viability of low-lying land for growing swamp taro crops and a collapsing seawall could push the indigenous Solomon Islands community further inland. The land squeeze and food insecurity have some members of the community considering relocation - another move after life on their former island home was made untenable by climate change-fuelled extreme weather. Sea level rise, intensifying storms and higher king tides forced islanders to flee to the mainland more than a decade ago. Today, all that's visible of the tiny island above water are a few wooden posts sticking out. Walande community secretary Fred Dauburi said the 50-hectare plot on the mainland was not enough for 800 people. "The population of this community is increasing rapidly but a piece of land will not expand," he told Human Rights Watch in a recent report. The community made the move with little financial support from the national government or international donors. Human Rights Watch climate displacement researcher Erica Bower said it was not unusual for Pacific Island communities to be forced to move more than once when they instigated the relocation themselves. It was less common when governments or NGOs were actively involved in the move to a more-resilient location, underscoring the need for more assistance. "This story highlights the consequences of inadequate support for climate-exposed communities," Ms Bower told AAP. The Solomon Islands government is one of just six with guidelines for planned relocation, a "beautiful document" largely collecting dust on the shelf. "It's not being implemented," she said. For the international community, funding was key, with Solomon Islanders receiving an average of $A31 a year in foreign aid for climate adaptation. Keeping the money flowing is another challenge. The Walande people were able to secure a small sum to rebuild their failing sea wall but the funds ran out before it was finished. Ms Bower said tensions over land were a huge problem throughout the Pacific, often stemming from informal arrangements made decades ago. "The government should play a role in mediating those conflicts and in attempting to support communities to find solutions," she said. Ms Bower said the move from the island had taken a toll, with one resident paddling her canoe back to the island every night. "The way she described it was 'as salt water people, we live by the ocean, we need to live on an island'."
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Land squeeze threatens climate-exposed islanders
The Walande community is running out of space to grow food and build homes. Sea level rise threatens the viability of low-lying land for growing swamp taro crops and a collapsing seawall could push the indigenous Solomon Islands community further inland. The land squeeze and food insecurity have some members of the community considering relocation - another move after life on their former island home was made untenable by climate change-fuelled extreme weather. Sea level rise, intensifying storms and higher king tides forced islanders to flee to the mainland more than a decade ago. Today, all that's visible of the tiny island above water are a few wooden posts sticking out. Walande community secretary Fred Dauburi said the 50-hectare plot on the mainland was not enough for 800 people. "The population of this community is increasing rapidly but a piece of land will not expand," he told Human Rights Watch in a recent report. The community made the move with little financial support from the national government or international donors. Human Rights Watch climate displacement researcher Erica Bower said it was not unusual for Pacific Island communities to be forced to move more than once when they instigated the relocation themselves. It was less common when governments or NGOs were actively involved in the move to a more-resilient location, underscoring the need for more assistance. "This story highlights the consequences of inadequate support for climate-exposed communities," Ms Bower told AAP. The Solomon Islands government is one of just six with guidelines for planned relocation, a "beautiful document" largely collecting dust on the shelf. "It's not being implemented," she said. For the international community, funding was key, with Solomon Islanders receiving an average of $A31 a year in foreign aid for climate adaptation. Keeping the money flowing is another challenge. The Walande people were able to secure a small sum to rebuild their failing sea wall but the funds ran out before it was finished. Ms Bower said tensions over land were a huge problem throughout the Pacific, often stemming from informal arrangements made decades ago. "The government should play a role in mediating those conflicts and in attempting to support communities to find solutions," she said. Ms Bower said the move from the island had taken a toll, with one resident paddling her canoe back to the island every night. "The way she described it was 'as salt water people, we live by the ocean, we need to live on an island'."
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Central Honiara Constituency Boosts HCC Health Service Delivery With Brand-New Vehicles
The Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) office has provided timely support with the delivery of two brand-new 15-seater buses worth $497,231.80 to the Honiara City Council (HCC), Health Division last week, Friday. The assistance was part of the constituency's ongoing commitment and resolute action under the leadership of Honourable Member of Parliament (MP), Gordon Darcy Lilo, to boost the delivery of healthcare services to communities within the constituency. The support was made possible under the national government's Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme with funding from the CHC budget allocation for 2024. Direct beneficiaries are Mbokonavera Clinic and Mataniko Pikinini Clinic. The generous assistance is targeted towards improving logistics and supporting the transportation needs of the council's health outreach programs, medical supply delivery, community health workers' mobility, and for transporting critically sick patients from respective clinics to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) for immediate medical attention if the need arises. '…because of the obvious challenge our nurses from these clinics faced every day with transportation, we stepped in to support, ensuring our nurses reach their work stations on time to serve our clinics, the constituents, and the wider Honiara community. Not only that, but one of the constituency's top priorities is support for health under the essential services sector, to ensure quality and timely health services are accessible for our people,' Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Rexford Paul explained. Mr. Paul further said, 'Working collaboratively with HCC is one of our missions going forward under the Essential Services sector. 'It is the firm commitment of the constituency office, under the guidance of our Member of Parliament Gordon Darcy Lilo, to put the community first through strategic support and partnership. 'This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen service delivery and ensure the well-being of our people. We are proud to stand with the Honiara City Council in this shared mission,' he underscored. Meanwhile, the Honiara City Clerk, Justus Denni, while acknowledging the generous assistance, recognized Hon. Lilo's leadership and his constituency's officers for their strong commitment to public service and community well-being, adding that the provision of this logistical support will greatly enhance the delivery of the much-needed health services in Honiara. Held at the HCC Car Park, the handover ceremony was attended by the City Clerk Justus Denni, HCC's Health Director, Dr Lawrance Diau, Nurses from Mbokonavera and Mataniko Clinics, CHC Officers, CHC Ward Leaders, and HCC staff. Constituency Development Program is a national programme of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD). It is implemented by the 50 constituencies in the country, purposely to improve the socio-economic livelihoods of Solomon Islanders.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Arukau The Hero For Henderson Eels On Opening Day In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation A hat-trick from Henderson Eels Madeline Arukau has led her side to an impressive opening match victory over Tupapa Maraerenga at the OFC Womens Champions League in Papeete. Arukau was the hero for the Solomon Islanders with two clinical first half strikes after talismanic skipper Ileen Pegi had slotted home the first goal of the tournament. Aarakau added her hat-trick goal soon after the break to seal a dominant win for Priscilla Tariga's side. The Cook Islands side had started the match well and created the opening goal scoring chance with Te Upoko Tuariki testing the goal with Mii Savage driving the play from midfield. But playing into the wind proved difficult for Tupapa to retain possession and Henderson Eels were able to control the ball and threaten regularly down the left with Pegi a constant threat on goal. After continued pressure and a standout save from Tupapa's keeper Rianna Pepe, Pegi finally broke through in the 26th minute putting her side deservedly in front. Henderson Eel's speed in the midfield was epitomised by Lorina Solosaia and Pegi, and the team was rewarded with two rapid goals from Arukau in the 36th and 40th minute respectively. Tupapa came out strong after the break, with the wind at their backs midfield, the side showed attacking intent early. But in typical fashion, the Eels were lightening quick on the counter and a long ball found Arukau who added her third in the 60th minute. Despite some chances from Tupapa, led by Te Upoko Tuariki and Victoria Fatiaki, the Eels finished the game with a comfortable win in the opening match. Arukau turned provider deep in stoppage time, her excellent cross from the left-hand side finished from close range by Agnes Gitoli to complete a fine opening day for the Solomon Islanders. Henderson Eels will face Ba Women FC in their second match on Wednesday (Tahiti time), whilst Tupapa Maraerenga will meet Ba Women FC on Saturday (Tahiti time).
