Latest News #230 - Solomon Islands
January 29, 2003

Preparations under way to meet Scripture needs in Solomon Islands

SOLOMON ISLANDS — The Bible Society in the South Pacific (BSSP) is making preparations to meet the Scripture needs of the 3,700 residents of two remote South Pacific islands where extensive damage was caused by Cyclone Zoe at the end of December.

Winds estimated at up to 350 kms per hour (220 miles per hour) swept across the islands of Tikopia and Anuta, located at the eastern end of the Solomon Islands chain, severing links with the outside world. After several days it was established that the islanders were safe, even though many buildings had been destroyed, and emergency supplies were shipped to the islands from New Zealand and Australia.

With islanders’ immediate practical requirements now being met, Anglicans in Queensland, the Australian state closest to the Solomon Islands, have expressed a desire to meet any need for Scriptures in the aftermath of the disaster. The current difficulties in communicating with the islands make it impossible to know the precise nature of Scripture requirements and what else will be needed in the process of rebuilding normal life there. However, the experience gained by the United Bible Societies (UBS) in dealing with similar natural disasters in the past suggests that believers will want to urgently replace their Bibles that have been lost or destroyed in the cyclone and that there will be a need to send new supplies. Also, it is not unexpected to find a renewed interest in the Bible among non-believers who are seeking hope and comfort in a difficult situation.

It is against this background that UBS is making a small allocation of US$ 9,700 to the BSSP from the Rapid Response Reserve, a discretionary fund operated by the service organisation. David Day, the BSSP representative in the Solomon Islands, is working with the Church of Melanesia to identify Bible provision needs on the islands to which the funds will be put.