BY CHRIS ALEX

The Solomon Islands Red Cross Society (SIRCS) has stepped in to assist two families who were left homeless after separate house fires destroyed their homes last week at the Tenaru settlement and Linge Village, in the North East Guadalcanal region.

According to Red Cross, one of the affected families was that of Stanley Kiere, a resident of the Tenaru area, whose home was completely razed to the ground on the afternoon of Friday, August 8.

Kiere said the fire started while his two children were preparing their meals using a portable cooking stove.

“The incident happened at around 2pm while my children were cooking. They tried to put it out, but the flames spread quickly due to strong winds. It was beyond their control.

“The house was totally burned with our little belongings, and it has been very hard trying to get things to replace what we have lost,” Mr Kiere recounted.

In response to the disaster, the Solomon Islands Red Cross quickly mobilised to provide immediate humanitarian support.

The organisation distributed its standard non-food relief items to both affected families. These included essential supplies such as shelter kits, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, blankets, mosquito nets, buckets, collapsible water containers, and sleeping mats.

“I just wanted to say thank you to the Red Cross for the help given.

“This will help my family as we begin to find ways to get back to normal,” Kiere said.

The second family, affected by a similar incident in Linge Village, also received the same support.

SIRCS continues to play a critical role in disaster response throughout the Solomon Islands, particularly in supporting vulnerable communities affected by fire, flooding, and other emergencies. Their timely assistance has been a lifeline for many families in crisis.

No injuries were reported in either incident, but both families are now in urgent need of long-term recovery assistance, including permanent shelter and livelihood support.

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