DEAR EDITOR, in his Christmas message to the nation, the Prime Minister said, “Our hearts go out to the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Makira, South Malaita and parts of Guadalcanal and the Shortland Islands.”

The PM said as an island state the country is vulnerable to extreme weather patterns and other natural disasters, but despite such vulnerability we have been able to effectively cope,

He gave credit to the good work of the staff at the disaster management offices at the national and provincial levels and wished all seasons’ greetings.

Meanwhile, the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) has reached out to earthquake victims on Malaita and Makira provinces as part of its Emergency Disaster Response in assisting disaster stricken areas.

ACOM’s Aid and Programme Coordinator, Casper Supa, said his team had distributed non-food and food items to Fanalei and Kalona Communities in Malaita Province and a bulk of similar stuff to Makira Disaster Office a week before Christmas.

He explained that the relief Supplies were handed over to the Chief of Fanalei and Kalona and the Diocesan Secretary of Hanuatoó Diocese, adding that the distribution will be made by these responsible leaders.

He stressed that the supplies are worth around 60 thousand dollars and that the money is from the Church’s Disaster Emergency programme.

Mr Supa said the Anglican Church of Melanesia and its partners are looking forward to assist the government and another donor partners in the rehabilitation programmes.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT