Well I cant say I wasn’t warned... 4 days
of a pre-departure briefing, 4 days in country induction, a personal emergency
plan to complete and a drive around my new location identifying ‘safe houses’
like the NZ high commission, higher ground locations on both sides of hate
river. Knowing where the SAT pohehs are, warning of always having credit and
how to respond to earthquakes, situations of political unrest. Emergency
evacuation procedure, what to have in your grab bag, suggested stores of food
in your accommodation. Even a life jacket wit ha GPS locating device for each
volunteer. I remember thinking on ‘ehm, are these all from past lessons learnt?!,
So I listened intently with side eyes, pen in hand!
Even as soon as I arrived off the plane I
was handed a Sim card with credit and ha phone list for all emergency
services and in country volunteers. Taken to get food supplies, informed of
safety requirements at the house I was staying at. Wow writing all that down
and thinking of the rest, - again, you really cant say you weren't warned!
And all too soon the evidence of past natural disasters is in front of my eyes and a week later cyclone Pam hits the Solomons and Vanuatu. Tow weeks after that hI get a text message
saying ‘ Earthquake in PNG, expected Tsunami in 40 minutes. 1meter high, no
need to move to higher ground. Stay available on phone and text back to this
message’. Which is exactly what my briefing had said would happen. But you know
we all think its just like that once in a hundred year flood (which I suppose
did happen in Christchurch!), the Sellafield disaster then (please don’t let me
have jinxed that with this blog- We did all get iodine tablet in Ireland so I’m
sure we are fine). Basically all the warning in the world cant take away the
initial panic you feel when its really real!
I remember thinking that living in NZ was
living on the edge and my ‘poor sheltered family in Ireland’ :P would ask how
I could live with the earthquakes in Christchurch- ha! That feels like cotton
wool compared to this.
The country is only now in its recovery
from the flash floods that hit last year when its potentially facing
another natural disaster from cyclone Pam. I am still getting to understand the
affects of the floods and my role in the recovery for education infrastructure.
I remember being in the downer graduate conference and Simon, who I didn't
know at the time gave a small talk on his experience of the VSA assignment
which I am now carrying on a year later. His experience changed dramatically in
one day, after watching one of the main bridges be washed away in front of his
eyes. As the floods destroyed the area the bridge was left in a state where the
only thing holding to together was the asphalt that lay on top. I hope I
haven't drama-sized what I heard too much, it makes Simon sound pretty heroic so
I’m sure he wont mind me rolling with it! Seeing the state the bridge was in and
watching cars que up to cross the bridge he stood in front of it to stop them
before they dumped right into the river. I remember thinking after that talk
‘FAAAACCK’ don’t think I could be dealing with that!!
And less then a year later.. I’m standing on the same bridge looking and picturing the scene that was
described. I'm on a new bridge of course, I haven't taken over his lolly pop
duties! (JOKE!) A new bailey bridge a fine specimen of a bridge, built in the
strongest Valerian steel (I have just watched Game of Throwns- I’m not thinking
straight). The bridge was actually built by the fine people at Downer! Thank
you very much Mr. Downer. A really vital piece of infrastructure in the
Solomons and something that really might never have been rebuilt.
Just like my first couple of months living
in Christchurch, its hard to comprehend the extent of the damage a natural
disaster has on a country. I mean you know there was an big earthquake, you
have done some research into your new home! You can see the shell of a city and
wonder why there are so many bloody car parks! It takes working in a rebuild
capacity to really feel the effects and see the impact on those who will live
through the repair. Meeting those people who’s reality this is,hearing and
feeling their experiences really makes it real for those who weren't there.
Everyday I walked to work for two weeks over
the bridge, I saw the buildings hanging over the edge and falling into
the river but that was really all I saw in terms of damage. Its status as a disaster only took affect when I started my role in the asset management team in MEHRD. The extent of the damage spreads
much further the that bridge and those buildings.
I start to become familiar with the list of
flood affected schools that are being repaired, Tuvaruhu, Mbalasuna, Tomorora,
King George are but a new additions to my thoughts. Site visits to contractors completing the repairs brings me to
many schools both in Honiara and up to 40km outside, past the palm olive
plantations. Schools where classrooms were washed away and are now operating
with UNICEF tents that can be hotter then any sauna I have been in. And I'm only describing schools here, the affect on homes and livelihoods is further reaching still. 
The programme of work for the flood
affected schools takes up a considerable amount o fte AMD resources. Something that could not be planned for but is
a reality that needs resources to return capacity to schools as soon as
possible. On my visits to the schools, meeting princliples and completing these
repair works. I realise the job, the focus is on returning function to the
schools. All the other strategies/ objective/ plans are on hold/ are not
priority for another year. And a million and one development and other thoughts
come to mind on that one. I’m sure some of my other blog post will paint a
picture of what that means for education in the Solomon's and the knock on to its developement on the whole as a country. But sure you know yourself,
and before I get too off topic or delve any further and start to sound like an
intellect or worse a politician. I’ll end this one with.. We are wrapped in cotton wool compared to my new friends in the Solomon's
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