The Solomon Islands earthquake and tsunami on 2nd April, 2007, brought death, destruction and hardship to thousands of people.  The Dominican Solomon Island Relief Fund was set up in Australia to receive donations.  A local Dominican team in Gizo visited the victims, investigated the needs and distributed aid.  The relief efforts have continued through 2008 and 2009.

What has been achieved with the donations of nearly SI$1,800,000.00?
Many, many families have been rescued from their makeshift tents and have been assisted to build new leaf houses. Countless rain water tanks, guttering and roofing iron have been distributed, first to families with a handicapped member at Canaan, the Shortlands and Gizo and since then, to many other villagers who were forced to relocate. With the gift of a rainwater tank, people do not have to walk all day through hills and valleys to collect water. Their health has also improved because they are using clean rain water. Food (bags of flour and rice), clothing, tools, fishing nets, water tanks and canoes have been given and large canoes and water tanks are still being purchased. Such gifts help families to restart their marketing and enables them to begin earning a small income once again by selling donuts, fish or vegetables in the market. Fuel is an ongoing cost in the process of distributing aid. One of the Dominican Sisters is constantly visiting people and is still supporting victims. Relief aid has been given to people of any denomination, not just to the Catholic parishioners.

How does the Dominican Relief Fund team operate?
Twice a month the team meets to discuss applications and to assess their own efforts. When help is requested the team visits the village and speaks to the family or individuals concerned to clarify the authenticity of the application.  Once approved the purchases are sent by boat and the village or family is revisited later on. Records are kept of all requests and purchases. When funds become low in the Gizo ANZa further SI $150,00.00 is transferred from Australia. The final transfer to Gizo will be made at the end of this year when we expect to close the Relief Fund account.

What has the Dominican Relief Fund team experienced?
Working with the tsunami victims has been difficult and distressing, especially when people become very impatient because they want immediate help. It has also been a most rewarding experience. The team has a genuine feeling of satisfaction with what has been achieved and an immense gratitude for the generosity of donors from Australia, New Zealand and other overseas Dominican Family supporters. One of the team’s greatest rewards has been to see the happiness of the people who have received assistance.

The tsunami and the earthquake caused much damage on Loga, totally destroying the wharf and badly affecting the Sisters’ Convent and the Novitiate which really needs to be replaced. Some Relief Funds have been used to pay for a new Loga wharf and will contribute towards the cost of building a new Novitiate on high ground on Gizo. St Anne’s Dominican Rural Training College at Nila also fared badly in the tsunami. Caritas Australia has just rebuilt thegirls’ dormitory block and Relief Funds will be used this year for the construction of a new bathroom block for the girls.

The Dominican Solomon Island Relief Funds have brought new life and hope to many Solomon Islanders. Our sincere thanks is offered to the many whose donations have enabled the process of rebuilding lives and distributing much needed aid to be a Dominican outreach. We especially thank the Dominican Brethren and Sisters who have worked hard to bringaid to their people.

This Report was compiled by the Relief Fund team
at a meeting in Loga, 25 June 2009