23 August 2019
A request for the Solomon Islands government to initiate a directory for Solomon Islanders to source information on the sources and availability of small scale grants for community projects.
I created and launched my website � www.solomonisandsinfocus.com� to give information on happenings and progress in the Solomon Islands, but with a deeper commitment to help create economic opportunities, enhance long-term environmental suitability and strengthen local communities as far as possible.
My value approach has been complemented by my partner charity organization in New Zealand, �Take My Hands� and with others to try and bring about change for the better in the lives of Solomon Islanders, especially those needing medical services and material support, such as the Hearts of Hope charity working with orphans and elderly widows in Malaita.
I have often felt handicapped when being approached for advice on how one might source information on grants and funding for community projects, such as providing a village water supply, creating a food garden, getting information on scholarships and obtaining employment, qualifying for CITREC sponsored work being a constant enquiry.
Whenever I get any news in support of such approaches from Solomon Islanders I write to the local papers and generally post the details on my website.
As I do my work voluntarily, as a friend of the Solomon Islands, I have no connection with the Solomon Islands government or the respective Ministries and I would therefore like to make a request that the new DCGA administration consider making available locally an official directory, in the form of guidelines, for local people to be able to readily access information and sources for answers to the questions most often referred to me.
Requests for information on grants for community projects represent the most frequent notices I get.
The most recent enquiry related to funds needed for a village water supply to enable the community to benefit from ground water sources and to help with food production and the growing of products that could help to bring in a source of income.
Apart from knowing of the major sources of funds for water and WASH programmes from the World Bank, the ADB, World Vision, UNDP and the UN, I was not able to pinpoint any NGO, organization or donor source to my correspondent.
I was able to tell of the major source of water funding that was announced by the World Bank in May this year and it is worth, I believe, in sharing that information as it was released by the World Bank.
I will quote the piece:
�May 16, 2019�Thousands of communities across the Solomon Islands will benefit from improved access to quality water and sanitation services, following approval of a grant for US$15 million (SBD$122 million) by the World Bank�s Board of Executive Directors, as part of a joint project with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
�Access to a continuous, quality and resilient water supply is vital for the health, safety and prosperity of Solomon Islanders,��said�Hon. Harry Kuma, Minister for Finance and Treasury, Solomon Islands.��Guided by our National Water and Sanitation Sector Plan, we look forward to working with the World Bank and multilateral partners to expand our water supply and treatment improve sewerage and sanitation services and ensure Solomon Islanders have greater awareness and education around water issues.�
The�Solomon Islands Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project�will support Solomon Water to rehabilitate and expand water production and treatment systems across Honiara, Auki, Gizo, Noro and Tulagi; develop a new water supply system in Munda; and connect an additional 40,000 of Honiara�s most in-need people to a more efficient water supply network.
Additionally, the project will improve the quality and efficiency of sewerage and sanitation services, with the construction of a new septage treatment facility and upgrade of sewerage systems in Honiara, reducing public and environmental health risks from untreated sewerage and building climate and flood resilience. The project will also support community education and awareness of water conservation, sanitation and hygiene across the country�s main urban areas.
�We are delighted to share our global experience of water infrastructure investment, working closely with Solomon Water and ADB on this vital initiative, �said�Michel Kerf, World Bank�s Country Director for the PacificIslands.�This project will not only improve water supply and sanitation services, it will also strengthen Solomon Islands� resilience to climate change, supporting the introduction of best practice technology adopted by advanced water utilities around the world.�
�The project is co-financed by the World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA) the World Bank�s fund for the world�s most in-need countries, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Union through the Investment Facility for the Pacific (IFP) and the Solomon Islands.� Ministry of Finance and Treasury. The grant will be implemented by Solomon Water.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
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