Prime Minister honourable Jeremiah Manele and SPC’s Rhonda Robinson
LAST week, the Prime Minister, the Honourable Jeremiah Manele, MP, received a courtesy call from Dr Rhonda Robinson, Director of the Geoscience, Energy, and Maritime Division of the Pacific Community (SPC).
Ms. Robinson was accompanied by three of her senior staff members. They used the opportunity to provide updates on the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program, water and sanitation, and maritime matters.
Regarding the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP), the Prime Minister acknowledged SPC’s leading role in establishing infrastructure and systems designed to manage relief supplies immediately following natural disasters
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Solomon Islands is highly susceptible to natural disasters such as cyclones, heavy rainfall, flooding, and other related hazards.
He reiterated that the government will work closely with the SPC to advance the establishment of warehouses in the country, emphasizing their great importance.
Regarding the sites for the warehouses, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Cabinet will deliberate on the matter once the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM) presents its report.
The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP) is a key initiative aimed at improving disaster preparedness and resilience across 14 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste. This program is led by the Pacific Community (SPC) and focuses on building infrastructure and systems to manage essential relief supplies effectively during emergencies, such as natural disasters intensified by climate change.
It is supported by Australia, New Zealand, France, and Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP), with an eight-year timeline (2023–2031). The initiative promotes collaboration between governments and humanitarian partners for sustainable disaster response.
Prime Minister the Honourable Jeremiah Manele also acknowledged SPC’s continued support for the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), a state-owned enterprise.
Prime Minister Manele highlighted that SIMA has been advocating for an international shipping registry, an area where SPC could provide support for its realization.
He also stressed that labour mobility in the maritime space has been a growing concern and that the government is working collaboratively with partners such as SPC to address the issue.
Regarding water and sanitation, the Prime Minister emphasized that these issues remain significant challenges, which are exacerbated by the rapidly growing population.
Prime Minister Manele acknowledged SPC’s support for the Pacific Water Summit, which Solomon Islands will host in August 2025. He added that the summit will appropriately highlight the issues of water and sanitation, drawing further attention to these concerns during the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in September 2025.
He acknowledged SPC for its ongoing support in improving water and sanitation through its partners in the country.
Source: PMO
