WESTERN province yesterday reactivated its Provincial Disaster Committee to carry out responsibilities in response to earthquake affected areas in Shortland Islands.

As instructed by Premier Wayne Maepio, a disaster committee was formed after a preliminary meeting yesterday.

The committee consists of provincial division heads, representative of Red Cross Gizo and will include representatives from Western Health Services.

Interim Chairman and PCD Advisor for Western Province, Henry Zimbo said this is to look at immediate issues to try and help address the earthquake affected areas in the Shortland Islands.

The committee is liaising with an assessment team that is expected to be deployed to earthquake affected villages in Shortland islands.

Deputy Premier, currently Acting, Malloney Lopoto said: “We must do our part to help these people to bring this situation under control, thus we need a collaboration of all stakeholders to address this situation.”

The committee will communicate closely with the assessment team which is expected to be on ground today or tomorrow in the disaster affected areas, and will convene again on Friday for further steps to be taken.