A one day disaster lessons learnt workshop has identified areas needed for improvement in disaster arrangement and responses.

This was identified during a stakeholder-wide presentation in lessons learnt workshop of the December 2016 earthquake and tsunami in Makira.

N-DOC Committees including those for Health, Education, Livelihood, Protection, Infrastructure and Camp Management have all activated mechanisms and actions in support of request after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on 9 December 2016 near west-south-west of Kirakira.

The presentation by N-DOC Committees on this demonstrated a need for close collaboration by all agencies and stakeholders, and a need for strong chairperson.

The assessment process and the use of kobo tool, information management, analysis of information and dissemination of information also needs improvement.

Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) Under Secretary – Technical Jimmy Nuake highlighted a need for a frequency of committee meetings and improvement on membership turn up.

Participants from government ministries and partners including Non-Governmental organisations and donors share experiences, lessons learnt and their actions during and after the Makira earthquake.

Discussions and presentation touched on Early warning phase, Emergency phase, Response phase and recovery phase.

It was also noted that recovery phase needs to be strengthen its monitoring and evaluation.

Participants also touched on thematic areas which includes activation, coordination, assessment, information management, planning, implemnentation of response, transition to recovery and m,onitoring and evaluation.

Chair of National Disaster Council (NDC) and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Dr Melchior Mataki said “the workshop is not an “end” in itself; it is a “means” to an end: “better preparedness and effective response in future disasters”.

He said Disaster risk management arrangements and operations in the Solomon Islands is underpinned by the NDM Plan and ultimately the National Disaster Council Act.

“We shall know if we are learning from our experiences, if our structures, systems and cultures evolve (revolutionize) based on our experiences and dare may I add, our modelling of the future.

“We need to consistently interpret experiences, distil lessons, apply and monitor the lessons as part of our work programme during and before disasters,” Dr Melchior said.