NEW PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY CENTRE FOR TARO, CHOISEUL PROVINCE
PM Sogavare and HE Rod Hilton Australia (Centre), Choiseul Premier & Officials@ Ground Breaking for Provincial Emergency Operations Centre in Taro.
A project to create resilience to meet the increasing impending Climate Change challenges as well as prioritize the broad subject of climate change adaptation has commenced at the Choiseul Provincial Capital, Taro.
Work on the new Taro Provincial Emergency Operation Centre, an Australian funded project, was marked with a groundbreaking ceremony on ground zero last Friday.
The project will increase the resilience of the people of Choiseul Province to promote self-help as one of the main principles of the National Disaster Management Plan 2018.
Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare MP and Australia’s in-country representative, His Excellency Rod Hilton could not miss the opportunity and honour to mark the commencement of the very important resilience undertaking for the people of Choiseul Province.
In his address, the honorable Prime Minister pointed out that Climate Change is the single biggest threat to the security of the people of Solomon Islands.
“The PDCs are the eyes and ears of the government’s disaster management arrangements at the provincial level and have a responsibility to work with the communities to strengthen their resilience to the impacts of climate change and disasters,” the Prime Minister accentuated.
The 2007 Tsunami that claimed more than fifty lives and destroyed over 900 homes in Choiseul and Western Provinces is only one of the many reasons the establishment of the centre is very critical. Further, “food security and water security are two of the most threatened sectors by the impacts of climate change and nature- induced hazards.”
Upon completion, the Choiseul Provincial Emergency Operations Centre will provide a common hub for the coordination of disaster preparedness and response activities.
It will also provide space for the provincial government to work together with its stakeholders in linking community-based climate adaptation and disaster preparedness initiatives down to the community levels.
Partners Australia, New Zealand and UNDP received praise and acknowledgement from the Government and people of Solomon Islands for their continuous demonstration of strong commitment to support and assist in national efforts against climate change.
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– OPMC PRESS SECRETARIAT