Pacific News In Brief For 29 April
The Solomon Islands' Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development says tropical cyclone Maila has impacted critical food sources.
Its initial assessment confirmed extensive and widespread damage to agricultural livelihoods in coastal communities.
The ministry said evaluations and community reports from Ranogga Island and Simbo indicate severe damage of food gardens, fruit trees, and coconut plantations.
The government has proposed a US$5.6 million budget for agricultural recovery and food relief.
The United States is providing disinfectants and health supplies to support Kiribati in an ongoing rotavirus outbreak.
The US said it is committed to working with the Government of Kiribati to respond to this outbreak, build self-reliant health systems, and prevent the spread of disease before it reaches US shores.
It said it recognises the high toll of this outbreak on the i-Kiribati people, especially young children.
A prominent Palau businessman, traditional leader and former Senate president has died, age 86.
Surangel Whipps Sr held the traditional chiefly title of Rekemesik of Ngatpang and served as president of the Senate in the Olbiil Era Kelulau.
He was the founder and owner of Surangel & Sons Company, the country's largest private employer.
Whipps was also the father of Palau president Surangel Whipps Jr and Senator Mason Whipps.
Vanuatu has identified a fungus that can successfully kill the coconut rhinoceros beetle.
The fungus has previously been used in Solomon Islands to combat the beetle and is now being applied in Vanuatu.
Vanuatu's Biodiversity Department has been trialling the fungus as a control on the highly invasive pest.
Senior plant health officer Leasogi Manses told the ABC's Wantok programme that the fungus has shown serious potential.
The Tongan government has begun testing subsea geothermal technology, which it says could reduce dependence on imported diesel.
Talanoa o Tonga reported the pilot deployment marks the first stage of a project aimed at harnessing geothermal heat generated by subsea volcanic activity.
It launched on 22 April in partnership with United States-based developer Endurance Energy.
The initial phase will test how it works in Tonga's marine environment, and results from the pilot will determine whether the project moves to larger-scale development.
The French government has donated €1 million to the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program.
The program is a Pacific-led, multi-partner program supporting 14 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to store and manage essential supplies in preparation for fast response to a disaster.
The SPC director for the geoscience, energy and maritime division, Rhonda Robinson, said the contribution enables countries to strengthen their own systems and respond quickly and inclusively when disasters occur, helping to protect lives and livelihoods.
A new report claims Pacific Kiwis overwhelmingly want to see New Zealand play a bigger role in the region.
A talanoa by the Asia New Zealand Foundation finds that 83 percent of Pasifika would prefer New Zealand as a partner for the Pacific, compared to 58 percent for Australia.
Accordingly Pasifika are more trusting of the United States and Japan than they are of China, and only 20 percent want to see China play a larger role.
However, Pasifika show higher levels of trust in China than non-Pacific New Zealanders, and vice versa for the US.
The foundation said other Asian countries, including India, the Philippines and South Korea, are seen as emerging partners.
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