A challenge for UNICEF!

View a photo essay of our first day.

Today we met with the Ministry of Education, the Secretary for Planning, and the New Zealand High Commisioner Deborah Pankhurst. It was really useful to get the context about the situation in the Solomon Islands. And it was clear that the local people and children are under no illusions about the work involved in the task ahead of them.

To bring the change that is needed, they need our help. They are not only faced with rebuilding their communities, but also with achieving economic development.

UNICEF is involved in all areas of their redevelopment post-earthquake/tsunami, and is working with various local authorities to bring about the progress they so badly need.

This afternoon we flew to Gizo. During the flight we saw literally hundreds of small islands with settlements of just 6 – 8 houses. It was then that we realised the logistical nightmare that UNICEF faces. The entire country has just 530,000 people – and yet they are so scattered that delivering the services they need is a huge challenge.

On arrival in Gizo we had a briefing on what we will see in the next two days, including the Regional Assistance Reconstruction Programme (RARP), which UNICEF put in place following the 2007 earthquake and tsunami. Again we were made aware of the logistical difficulties of providing assistance across so many islands.

Tomorrow we will be talking to local communities, and children, about how they were affected by the earthquake and what it will mean to them to have new schools, a safe water supply, and access to health clinics.

Gareth and Jo Morgan, and TV3, are blown away by what they have seen so far!

I look forward to bringing you further updates tomorrow.

Bye for now,
Dennis