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 the remote South Pacific islands of Tikopia and Anuta, where extensive damage was caused by Cyclone Zoe at the end of December.

With islanders’ immediate practical needs 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. Experience gained by the United Bible Societies (UBS) in dealing with similar events in the past indicates that believers will want to urgently replace their Bibles that have been lost or destroyed and that there will be a need to send new supplies.

UBS is therefore making a small allocation of US$9,700 to the BSSP from the Rapid Response Reserve, a discretionary fund operated by the service organisation. Bible provision needs to which this money will be put are to be identified by David Day, the BSSP representative in the Solomon Islands, in collaboration with the Church of Melanesia.