IOM provides Solomon Islands with Equipment to Support Community Vulnerability Assessments

On 4th June, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), through support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), handed over specialized technical equipment to the Climate Change Division (CCD) of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) in Solomon Islands.

Provided under the project ‘Strengthening Resilience Against Disaster and Climate Change Related Fragility in Solomon Islands,’ the technical equipment donated includes a laser-imaging tool, an undersea drone, a water quality tester, a soil quality tester, a laptop, and 8 tablets.

This equipment will strengthen Solomon Islands Government’s (SIG) ability to conduct more effective Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments (IVAs) and enhance their overall capabilities in managing climate-related hazards.

Furthermore, it will also significantly decrease the time needed to collect topographical data and contribute to evidence-based decision-making to build resilience of communities across the country.

Ms. Susan Sulu, Permanent Secretary of MECDM, highlighted in her opening remarks: “We would like to acknowledge the support from the Korean Government and KOICA, as well as IOM’s work in this handover. This support will help us to improve our capacity to collect and analyze data, which is crucial for understanding risks and vulnerabilities and effectively responding to climate-driven disasters.”

She added, “Climate change is the most significant threat to Solomon Islands, and enhancing our data capabilities is essential for our preparedness and response strategies.”

In 2023, IOM assisted MECDM in conducting IVAs for three communities in Western Province. IOM will further support MECDM to conduct IVAs for an additional six communities in Temotu and Isabel Provinces in 2024 and 2025.

Through its ongoing partnership with SIG, IOM aims to support identified communities with enhanced equipment, infrastructure, essential items such as Non-Food Items (NFI), and operational capacities to effectively prevent, manage, and recover from both slow and sudden-onset disaster and displacement shocks.

ENDS//

– IOM Solomon Islands