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July - December 2013
The month of November commenced with
the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s
(SPC) Applied Geoscience and Technology
Division
(SOPAC)
celebrating
and
recognising the outstanding service of
eleven employees, all of whom have
contributed more than twenty years to the
organization. The contributions of such
dedicated employees have made it possible
for the SOPAC Division to meet its goal of
supporting the sustainable development
of Pacific communities, whilst building
the reputation of a reliable and effective
geoscience services provider.
SOPAC has a long history in the Pacific. First
established in 1972 as a United Nations
Development Programme Regional Project,
SOPAC’s initial focus was on exploring
Pacific mineral and hydro-carbon potential.
Over the years, SOPAC’s programme
of work has shifted to include coastal
protection and management, geohazard
assessment, water resource management,
and disaster risk management. In 1990,
SOPAC became an independent regional
organisation. In 2011, SOPAC integrated
with SPC to become its newest Division.
In the days leading up to the ceremony,
SOPAC published interviews of the 11
individuals, giving an unprecedented insight
into the history, advancements in service
delivery and progression of technology, not
only within SOPAC, but also throughout the
Pacific region. Staff members honoured
for their outstanding services were the
following.
SOPAC Long Service Recognition
EU FUNDS PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRES IN
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Staff Profiles
Sekove Motuiwaca
1980-present
Russell Howorth
1979-2013
Mereseini Lala Bukarau
1985-present
Unaisi Bainiloga
1987-present
Salestino Niu Daurewa
1987-present
Laisa Baoa
1987-present
Enele Gaunavou
1988-present
Setareki Ratu
1986-2011
Robert Smith
1989-present
Peni Musunamasi
1989-present
Litia Waradi
1989-present
Long service staff awardees (standing and sitting) surround former and current SOPAC and SPC directorates
The new Western Province Emergency
OperationCentre (EOC) wasofficiallyopened
at Gizo in October 2013. Construction
of the new EOC was made possible
through funding from the European Union
(EU) under the Disaster Risk Reduction
Project (B-Envelope) implemented by the
Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s
(SPC) Applied Geoscience and Technology
Division, based in Fiji.
In opening the building, Provincial Secretary
and Acting Premier, Adrian Tony, stated that
the Western Province was very grateful for
the assistance from the European Union
in strengthening disaster management
and that the Provincial Government will
ensure that the new EOC will be properly
maintained to improve administration and
coordination of disaster management.
He also stated that the western province
had lately experienced natural disasters
with the recent tsunami that caused loss
of property and human life and that the
new Emergency Operation Centre would
improve preparedness and reduce the risk
to disasters.
The representative from SPC, George Beck
stated that Gizo is vulnerable to multi-
hazards and the new EOC will provide a
dedicated building from which to coordinate
response to disasters, as well as carry out
their day-to-day operations.
He further stated that communities are
already experiencing impacts to climate
change and SPC is also working closely
with the national Government to address
important areas in policy and planning to
reduce the risks to disasters.
The Head of Delegation of the EU in the
Solomon Islands, Mr. Eoghan Walsh, said
the focus of this project was to build resilient
communities and that the new EOC’s
would improve preparedness. The EU is
also supporting Pacific Island countries
to strengthen disaster management and
climate change through a new project,
totalling Euro 20 million that has recently
commenced with SPC as the implementing
agency.
The Solomon Islands stand to benefit from
this new project to build on the support
provided through the current disaster
reduction project in addressing vulnerability
and priority areas in climate change. With
the funding available from the European
Union through this project, Emergency
Operation Centres were also constructed
at Lata (Temotu Province) and Kirakira
(Makira/Ulawa Province).
The National Disaster Management Office
has also benefited from training in disaster
management. A total of Euro 550,000
was allocated to addressing disaster
management in the Solomon Islands.
George Beck with Adrian Tony in front
of the newly opened EOC