NPF Supports Flood Relief with $60,000 Donation

The Solomon Islands National Provident Fund has donated $60,000 towards the disaster relief work in response to last week’s devastating floods.

NPF’s General Manager, Tony Makabo handed over a $60,000 cheque to the Chairman of the National Disaster Council, Dr Melchior Mataki and Director of the National Disaster Management Office, Loti Yates, on Thursday afternoon.

Twenty-three people were killed and thousands are homeless following flash floods in Honiara, Guadalcanal and surrounding provinces.

NPF’s General Manager said he hoped the donation would assist the Government’s disaster response to provide assistance to those that have suffered.

"This donation is the NPF Board's immediate response to help with the national disaster efforts. The Board, Management and staff of the Fund do sympathize with those who have lost their love ones and properties as result of the terrible disaster last week.”

Mataki, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, thanked the NPF Board on behalf of the Government and NDC.

He said the donation was timely and significant as it was the same as Solomon Islanders helping out other Solomon Islanders, by virtue of the nature of the Fund. 

"We will ensure that this donation will go on to meet the needs of those who have been severely impacted by the floods.”

Mataki thanked NPF and stakeholders for their support in providing donations to the relief effort.

"All donations are invaluable, coming from all stakeholders, we are thankful for the support we have been receiving including that from the corporate community.

He said the impact of the disaster was wide reaching and affected communities as far as Are’are in Malaita.

“It’s an unprecedented disaster, especially for us in Honiara and this is probably one of the first in a long while at has attacked the commercial centre of the nation.”

He said the disaster has a lot of repercussions, many we have yet to feel, especially the impact on the economy.