Cyclone simulation demonstrates community preparedness in the Solomon Islands
It was a fine morning on the hills of Central Kwara’ae in the Solomon Islands. The sun was high and the cool mountain breeze brushed against the trickling water of the Fiu River.
By the riverside, the winds carried faint music from a hut. Inside the hut lay 12-year-old Kenneth, enjoying his music.
[SIREN!] [SIREN!] [SIREN!]
Kenneth sat up, startled. It was the community alarm. He jumped out of bed, ran out of his hut and raced up the hill.
“…A tropical cyclone has been located north east of Malaita moving southwest direction…”
Above: Anololo Village Disaster and Climate Risk Committee Chairwoman, Javelin John, activated the cyclone simulation.
At the hilltop, the Village Disaster and Climate Risk Committee (VDRC) gathered. The Committee concluded that it was time. The loud siren raged on again.
The VDRC Chairwoman, Javilyn John, pulled out a blue flag, about two metres in length. Kenneth ran up the hill and Javilyn quickly handed Kenneth him the blue flag.
“You know what to do,” she said. Kenneth nodded and raced off.
Javilyn had just activated the community preparedness protocol.
Kenneth ran across the village with the blue flag raised over his head, yelling “Blue flag! Blue flag!”
A curious silence followed across the village. Muffled commotions could be heard from the households.
Above: More than 200 villagers took part in the cyclone simulation in Anololo. Photo credit: Oxfam Solomon Islands.
“…Tropical Cyclone Florence has been upgraded to level two…”
Kenneth raced by again, this time with a yellow flag, calling out “Yellow flag! Yellow flag! Yellow flag!”
Soon more than 200 villagers poured out of their homes with their belongings packed, ready to evacuate.
The villagers gathered around the VDCRC members at the assembly area.
A single line formation was organised. The children were placed at the front.
“Okay, slowly, let’s go!” a VDCRC member instructed after a quick headcount.
“Wait!” someone interrupted. “Steven is still at his house. He refuses to leave his house.”
Two young men hurried down the hill returning moments later with an older man who did not want to abandon his home.
Above: The cyclone simulation included exercises designed to allow the Village Disaster and Climate Risk Committee members and the communities to ensure missing people were accounted for, basic first aid could be administered and that the elderly, young and other groups were included and supported.
The villagers began making their way to the church, which was the designated evacuation centre.
Once everyone settled in the church, another headcount was conducted.
Two people were missing. Javilyn sent out a search party.
“…this is the fourth weather bulletin. Cyclone Florence is striking the central coasts of Malaita heading south direction…”
The search party found Stephenes motionless, but conscious, under a fallen branch. Basic first aid was applied and then Stephenes was carried to the church.
It was not long before the second missing person, Damina, was found by the riverside, soaked and unconscious.
The rescuers loaded the young girl onto a canvas stretcher and carried her to the evacuation centre. Cyreen, a VDCRC member, applied CPR and Damina coughed and regained consciousness.
Above: A Village Disaster and Climate Risk Committee member administers first aid as part of the cyclone simulation. Photo credit: Oxfam Solomon Islands.
“This is the fifth weather bulletin. Cyclone Florence has passed Malaita Island. The threat is over.
“Thank you everyone!”
Applause erupted among those sheltered in the church. The Anololo community had successfully completed a disaster simulation exercise.
Preparedness training put into action
Prior to the simulation exercise, the Anololo community participated in a series of disaster preparedness trainings delivered as part of the Disaster READY Project, implemented under the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and funded by the Australian Government.
Disaster READY partners in the Solomon Islands, including Oxfam Solomon Islands, are supporting communities to prepare for disasters.
As the Chairwoman of the VDCRC, Javelin was pleased with the simulation, and explained the importance of the exercise for the community.
“It was a great turnout. At the beginning of this year during the big rains, our community was badly affected. At that time we were not as organised as we are now. We faced many issues after that disaster.
“I am confident going forward that if we are hit by a disaster, a cyclone perhaps, our community will put into action our trainings like we demonstrated today and we might minimise the casualties,’ she said.
The Malaita Provincial Disaster Officer, Pearson Simi, observed the simulation and commended the Anololo community for their coordination and encouraged the VDCRC to explore further ways to improve their resilience program.
“Practice makes perfect. “If a disaster committee plans well, we will become resilient and be well prepared for the cyclone season that falls every November to April,” he said.
The Assistant Provincial Disaster Officer, Tony Wale, also attended and felt the simulation was a success.
“The purpose of the drill was to test the effectiveness of the Response Plan which I believe it succeed in doing.
“It shows that the community and the VDCRC understand their roles and know what to do in the event of a disaster,” he said.
The AHP Disaster READY partners in the Solomon Islands are: Oxfam Solomon Islands, World Vision, Save the Children, Plan International, Live & Learn, Red Cross and church organisations ADRA, ACOM and Caritas Australia.
Oxfam Solomon Islands would like to acknowledge the Malaita Provincial Disaster Office and other NGO partners for their support for Disaster READY activities in Anololo.