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Solomon Islands
Tsunami: one year after
April 2008 |
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The Solomon Islands are a vast archipelago of 992 diverse islands lying 1,900 km north-east of Australia.
There are golden beaches, tropical vegetation, a crystal blue ocean, great diving – and one of the highest rates of malaria outside Africa and the highest in the Pacific.
Climate change is already having an impact. The cooling sea breeze can turn to a gale-force cyclone and the luscious-green mountains are subject to landslides. The aquamarine sea is fast encroaching upon the life of the villagers, forcing them to join together to seek solutions. Sea levels are rising, making flooding of villages an even more regular occurrence – this not only causes damage to communities but brings with it an increased rate of diseases such as malaria.
Logging is a major revenue earner, but the level of deforestation is worryingly high. Most people in rural areas lack sanitation. Diseases from poor sanitation and water quality – such as diarrhoea – are common, causing widespread sickness, and the deaths of babies and young children.
The Solomon Islands is unlikely to meet the Millennium Development Goals – such as water and sanitation, and education. The population is just over half a million – mostly Melanesian, Christian, and young. Unemployment is high – especially among young people. Forty-two per cent of Solomon Islanders are under 15, and 21 per cent are aged 15 to 24. This demographic is fast-growing.
(p17454)
Photo: Mel Tolnay, and text: Laurelle Keough, Australian Red Cross
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