Financial aid and humanitarian assistance for cyclone relief efforts in the Solomon and Islands and Vanuatu.
According to an article in today’s Solomon Star newspaper, Counsellor Yao Ming of the Republic of China’s Embassy in Honiara handed over US$100,000 yesterday to the Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Jeremiah Manele at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The money, equivalent to SBD$800,000, is to be used by the government of Solomon Islands towards rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Harold.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony HE Ming said when it comes to disaster, the Solomon Islands and China share a lot of common ground.
Counsellor Ming said just one week ago, his embassy and colleagues in Honiara had witnessed the devastating cyclone Harold ravaging through the Solomon Islands.
He added that with that recent devastating cyclone, the Red Cross Society of China had decided to contribute to help Solomon Islands Government in its relief efforts.
On behalf of the SI government and people of Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Manele extended a sincere thank you to the government and people for China for the assistance.
Meanwhile in separate news, the French military has sent more than two tonnes of emergency supplies from its base in New Caledonia to Vanuatu after the devastation caused by tropical cyclone Harold.
A Casa air force plane carried a consignment of kits for those made homeless by last week's category five storm which ravaged the central islands of Pentecost, Espiritu Santo and Ambae.
According to the Vanuatu Red Cross, most people in the disaster zone have lost their homes.
The kits were made up of tents, basic kitchen items which had been held in stock by the Red Cross in Noumea as part of the emergency support provided by France, Australia and New Zealand.
Another five and a half tonnes of emergency supplies were flown from Noumea to Fiji at the beginning of the week on a Fiji Airways plane which had brought stranded tourists from Nadi.
This week the New Caledonian government released $US100, 000 to assist Vanuatu with the recovery efforts.
News sources. Radio New Zealand and Solomon Star.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short.
