Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hon. Franklyn Derek Wasi, said the donation comes at a critical time, as food gardens remain the foundation of food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for many rural households.
“For many rural households, food gardens are the foundation of food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. Following the impacts of disasters, restoring food production quickly is critical to helping families recover and rebuild their resilience,” Wasi said.
He said the timely donation will enable affected farmers and households to re-establish their gardens, improve food availability, and strengthen community recovery efforts.
Minister Wasi also expressed his appreciation to the New Zealand Government for its continued support to the people of Solomon Islands during times of need, and assured them that the tools would be distributed efficiently and used effectively to benefit the affected communities.
“This donation reflects the strong partnership and friendship between our two countries, particularly in building resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
New Zealand High Commissioner, His Excellency Jonathan Curr said the contribution demonstrates New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Government and people of Solomon Islands in their recovery efforts.
He noted that New Zealand has committed more than SBD$6 million towards the Cyclone Maila response to date, working alongside local partners including the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Save the Children, the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA), ADRA, and other non-government organizations.
“We know that Cyclone Maila has had a significant impact on many farming households, damaging gardens and disrupting livelihoods,” the High Commissioner said.
“While these tools are simple, they will help communities rebuild their gardens, strengthen food security, and support household incomes.”
He added that New Zealand remains proud to support agricultural development in Solomon Islands to strengthen food security, improve livelihoods, and build resilience against future challenges, including the impacts of climate change, cyclones, and other natural disasters.
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