THANKS: Solomon Island flood appeal volunteers load up the shipping container. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
THANKS: Solomon Island flood appeal volunteers load up the shipping container. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
An appeal to help thousands of flood victims in the Solomon Islands has been successful with a shipping container full of much-needed items on its way to the Pacific Island nation.
Masterton residents Ruth Lumukana and Lois Kusilifu, who have family there, appealed to the public in May for help.
Along with other appeals around the country, the container has now been filled with clothes, canned food, blankets, cooking utensils, soap and other basic items.
Wairarapa DHB pharmacist Mrs Lumukana said, on behalf of the Solomon Island community in Wairarapa, they would like to thank everyone who donated goods and Wairarapa Hospital staff and staff and families from the Cubby House.
"The response we received was beyond our expectations and we have been humbled by the number of people who gave."
They also thanked Fashion Transport, Swire Shipping and Quadrant Pacific Ltd for the free container, shipping, transport and logistics, which was organised by Tauranga's Solomon Island community. The massive flash flooding in April swept away homes, roads, bridges, crops and possessions on the main island of Guadalcanal.
The Mataniko River burst its banks affecting about 52,000 people, killing 22 and leaving thousands without homes.
The container has been shipped from Tauranga and is due to arrive on July 29.
