Communities map-out hazard areas in Makira

All communities have high-risk areas, especially during wet seasons and strong winds. However, their existence is often ignored because lack of knowledge to identify them as risky and disastrous.

Nevertheless, such places pose an immense risk to community members, sometimes resulting in loss of life and injuries, especially to the most vulnerable, like children, and loss of food gardens, homes, and other properties. Therefore, helping communities identify the hazard locations in their communities is critical, as this will help reduce negative consequences. 

This is the path that World Vision Solomon Islands is taking, especially in eight communities of Makira Ulawa Province. Thanks to the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) for the support that helps WVSI embark on this exciting journey. Implementing the AHP Disaster Ready Phase II project aims to strengthen resilience and stability, particularly in Makira communities, by addressing the challenges of disasters, changing climate, conflict, and other threats and hazards.

During May this year, the WVSI's AHP Disaster Ready Phase II Project team and the community members did the multi-hazard mapping. The activity included the community members drawing up maps indicating different places they feel unsafe during wet seasons and areas where they experience strong winds. The multi-hazard map drawn gave the communities a bigger picture of their vulnerability in various aspects, including their living, farming, fishing, income-generating activities, resources, and properties.

"This activity is indeed beneficial to us Tawapuna community members as we now realise that we are living with risks in our communities, but we do not know them, and this is helpful for us to know where we can plant our gardens and also where we should go during bad weather," said Kingsley Tara. 

The activity included all community members, including children, youth, women, men, and people with disabilities. The activity imparted new knowledge to community members as most have realised they are living with risks. The activity would have a long term impact on people's plans as they are already aware of risk areas in their communities.