UNICEF Solomon Islands Chief Visits World Vision Sites in Makira

Honiara, 4 July 2016. UNICEF Solomon Islands and World Vision Solomon Islands, with support from the EuropeanUnion, are collaborating to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for children and families on the Weather Coast of Makira in Solomon Islands.

On 22 June 2016, Chief of UNICEF Solomon Islands Kang Yun Jong travelled to Makira with World Vision Solomon Islands to visit the project sites, meet community representatives, families, women and children.

“Access to safe water and sanitation is a basic human right and essential to life, health and dignity. This is critical in reducing disease and enables communities in Makira to pursue positive developments with widespread benefits,” said Mr Kang. 

Ten communities and two schools are participating in the Improving WASH in Makira Province Project, which is supported by UNICEF with funding from the European Union.

“These are the most vulnerable communities in Makira. They are located in remote and hard to reach areas that can only be accessed by hours of open sea travel on boats, often made even more difficult by bad weather. They are in dire need of water and sanitation,” said World Vision Solomon Islands Country Director, Janes Ginting.

Thirty-eight water points have been set up in communities, while work on sanitation facilities is still ongoing.  Mr Kang and World Vision’s WASH team travelled six hours on choppy seas from Santa Ana to Apurahe Village to review the progress of the project.

In the village of Apurahe, community members said access to water and new hygiene practices are improving health in the village.

“In recent months we’ve seen outbreaks of conjunctivitis and diarrhoea around Makira. But here at Apurahe Primary School, we haven’t been affected because we’re very strict with the students about hand washing,” said head teacher Shadrach Haga

At Ra’a Village, the team met with families, including community nurse George Faga, who recently built his own dry pit toilet.
“The community has really come together to build toilets for each home. We’re helping each other to dig holes while materials such as timber are being supplied by the village WASH committee. All you have to do is tell them what you need and they will provide it,”said Mr Faga.

Mr Kang added, “The Ra’a community is setting the example in Makira as it works towards eliminating open defecation. It shows what can be done when the community, the project, and all partners share the same vision.”

At Santa Ana Primary School, World Vision worked with the school and the community to install rainwater tanks, guttering and fittings for the school’s first water supply since the opening of the school in 1971.
Access to water means children no longer have to carry heavy water containers uphill from their homes in the village below or from the nearest water source, which is more than a kilometre away.

Up to 5,000 people will benefit from the Improving WASH in Makira Province Project.

Links to high resolution photos
Photo 1 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/zzasqi8bal0sbad/IMG_3656.JPG?dl=0
Photo 2 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/inszrnljfi3aidj/IMG_3719.JPG?dl=0
Photo 3 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/u4lkpu04k9ivpxh/IMG_3637.JPG?dl=0