Floods and Landslides: Vulnerable settlements, Honiara

Photo: Steve Gawler, Wind Valley community meeting

More frequent and severe heavy rainfall events, flooding and landslides are what keep Honiara villagers awake at night. ICLEI and Honiara Council representatives have visited several of the most vulnerable settlements in Honiara from November 2019 to February 2020 and talked with village leaders and residents. 

Three villages are nestled in steep valleys, two villages on low-lying land between a river and the beach. Their threats range from torrential rain, tidal and river flooding, flash flooding in the valleys, landslides and mudslides, to earthquakes and tsunamis.  While the villages already have local systems for early warnings and emergency procedures, the City Council and ICLEI are helping develop more reliable ways for the Council, and Ward Councillors in particular, to support these vulnerable settlements. This program is supported by the Australian Government through the Friendship Grants program.