16 December 2021
More than 150 households, including businesses in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara, will receive emergency supplies - three weeks after riots rocked the Pacific island nation.
Three people died and close to 100 businesses were destroyed during three days of political unrest in the city.
The damage has been estimated at more than $US60 million ($SBD500m) and climbing with over 1000 workers out of a job, the Solomons Central Bank announced last week.
The Red Cross Society has completed assessments in areas worst-hit by the unrest, with over 250 households registered.
The society's Secretary-General in the Solomons, Clement Manuri, told RNZ Pacific they will be distributing emergency supplies to the first 20 families today.
While he admits the assistance has come three weeks late, Manuri said they are only giving out non-food and hygiene items.
"The team will start distributing non-food items to the local employees so it's mainly hygiene kits for now.
"And there are families who will receive emergency shelter tool kits as well."
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is handling requests from families for food supplies, Manuri said.
'Tension is still high in Honiara'
Life is beginning to slowly return to normal in the capital, but there's still an air of uncertainty about, Manuri said.
"Shops are opening and every other offices. But again with police now arresting people for questioning, tension is still high.
"It's still not really back to normal with the questioning of people they think might have contributed to what had happened in last month's riots."
Source and quoting Radio New Zealand.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
