More than 60 church members have taken part in disaster preparedness training aimed at strengthening the ability of local churches in Honiara, Solomon Islands, to respond to emergencies.
The three-day Disaster Preparedness and Evacuation Centre Management (DPECM) training was conducted by ADRA Solomon Islands at White River Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Honiara from August 23 to 25.
Participants came from four churches in the West Honiara District—Varamata, White River, Forest Valley and Reilonga.
Opening the training, ADRA Solomon Islands country director Leyn Gantare thanked participants for taking part, describing the program as an important opportunity to help individuals, families and churches prepare for potential disasters.
The training was facilitated by ADRA emergency support staff member Raynick Jack, with support from Honiara City Council National Disaster Management Office manager Duran Taupongi and Solomon Islands Meteorological Service senior weather forecaster Alex Rilifia.
Participants explored disaster preparedness and response, including identifying hazards and vulnerabilities, community mapping, disaster risk and response planning, and local early warning systems.
The training also helped participating churches review and strengthen their disaster committees and develop Church Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans.
Forest Valley and Wind Valley churches pastor Sammy Kaipua said the training was particularly relevant given the location of the churches.
“Our churches are located in high-risk areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters, so this training is very important for our preparedness,” Pastor Kaipua said.
White River church minister Solly Tegemoana said the training had helped the church as it worked to establish and strengthen its disaster committee.
“It has helped us to better understand disasters and the importance of being prepared,” he said.
The training was funded by the South Pacific Division, Trans Pacific Union Mission and Solomon Islands Mission through the Disaster Ready Church Project.
As part of the project, ADRA Solomon Islands is also carrying out retrofitting works at Forest Valley and Reilonga churches to improve the safety and accessibility of the facilities so they can better serve as evacuation centres during disasters.
Follow-up evacuation centre management training is planned to help church leaders and members manage the facilities during emergencies, including ensuring the centres are accessible to people with additional needs.
