Maelanga Witnesses Cheque Handover For Queensland Flood

Website: www.pmc.gov.sb

OFFICE OF THE

PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

MEDIA RELEASE 27-03-11-GH

MAELANGA WITNESSES CHEQUE HANDOVER TO QUEENSLAND FLOOD VICTIMS

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Maelanga has been invited to witness the handover of a cheque of more than SB$700,000 to the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Frank Ingruber on Friday at the Honiara Hotel.

The money is a donation from the people of Solomon Islands to assist relief efforts in Queensland, Australia following floods that claimed hundreds of lives and damaged property.

The money was raised following a series of fundraisings by a Honiara-based fundraising Committee spearheaded by Sir Thomas Chan (Chairman), Ken Kwan and Father John Lamani.

Sir Thomas, said his committee was unable to reach a target of SB$1 million but was only able to raise more than SB$700,000 as a small donation from the hearts of the people of Solomon Islands to the people of Australia, particularly Queenslanders who suffered the recent floods.

“Australia always helped Solomon Islands during the many natural disasters that hit us in past years and this money although small is a donation from our hearts although our country is poor,” Sir Thomas said.

Australian High Commissioner Frank Ingruber was touched by a donation from children of Chung Wah International School in Honiara who gave up their lunch monies towards one of the Queensland Flood Fundraising drives.

“I was moved by this action and it shows how kind-hearted the people of Solomon Islands are,” Mr Ingruber said when he thanked Solomon Islanders for their help towards Australia.

Mr Ingruber said the damages cost a total of AU$6 billion – an amount equivalent to the Solomon Islands National Budget for the next 21 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Maelanga thanked his fellow Solomon Islanders for standing up and helping the people of Australia during their difficult time.

He said Solomon Islands is a poor country but its people are very compassionate in helping those who are in need.

“This donation is a demonstration that Solomon Islanders are caring and would not like to see other fellow humans suffer in any way,” Hon. Maelanga said.

The handover ceremony was attended by prominent members of the community including Speaker of the National Parliament Sir Allan Kemakeza.

A next series of fundraising drives towards relief efforts in Christ Church, New Zealand and Japan is set to start soon.

ENDS

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