COMMUNITIES FEARED SIMPLE LIFESTYLE MAY NOT WITHSTAND CYCLONES

A map of North Malaita. Photo credit: SIBC.

Communities within North Malaita, Malaita Province fear their simple lifestyle may not withstand the impacts of future cyclones.

Cyclone Raquel caused considerable damage to houses and food trees.

SIBC Stringer John Kiri says it is the second cyclone this year to hit the country and likely to happen again.

He says the people fear their traditional livelihood will not withstand cyclone effects.

“Many people here who build their homes in the bush from local material only like sticks, ropes, sago palm leaves, coconut leaves etc… like Mr Walter Nafali told me. If the cyclones come all the time, the lives of a lot of people will be vulnerable. Why, because 75 percent of the total people in the rural areas still live in leaf houses.”