U.S. Embassy Supports Solomon Islands National Emergency Response Team Induction Training

U.S. supports Solomon Islands’ third NERT training, boosting disaster response skills through field exercises

Dr. Jonatan Lass (Earth Sciences New Zealand, far right foreground) and Mr. Brian Funusulia (Solomon Islands Red Cross, far right background) observe the members of NERT Team Alpha conduct their final planning work prior to presenting their analysis to the NDMO instructor team

Instructors and participants in the National Disaster Management Office’s third National Emergency Response Team (NERT) induction training

NERT candidates of Team Alpha, led by Team Lead Dr. Howard William Marau (seated, far left), conduct analysis of field assessment data in their On Site Operational Coordination Center (OSOCC) tent.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Dan O’Hara delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of the National Disaster Management Office’s third National Emergency Response Team (NERT) induction training

Mr. Alexei Fainblout from the U.S. Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM; far right) poses with members of NERT Team Charlie (Mr. Micheal Gevu, far right; Mr. Johnson Donga, center left) during field assessments with a village elder

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The U.S. Embassy in Honiara supported the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in completing its third National Emergency Response Team (NERT) induction training from September 22–28, 2025. The program included a two-day field training exercise at Ginger Beach, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM).

During the field training exercise, participants put their training into action against a simulated Category IV Super Typhoon. Students set up coordination centers and responded to multiple simulated rescue and disaster relief scenarios impacting the western region of Guadalcanal.

Participants left the event prepared and equipped to serve their country effectively if called upon during a future disaster response.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Dan O’Hara encouraged NERT students to actively learn, collaborate, ask questions, and care for their team and mission. He highlighted the U.S. commitment to standing with the Solomon Islands in disaster preparedness and response.

“This training program on emergency preparedness and response capabilities symbolizes the developing nature of the U.S.-Solomon relationship, now aimed at ensuring our people are safer, and better prepared to address shared challenges so we can embrace the opportunities of the 21st century,” said CDA O’Hara. “This is a concrete demonstration of our continuing and growing partnership, forged in the shared experience of securing peace in the Pacific some 80 years ago, now working together to ensure our region is free, resilient, stable, and prosperous.”

The country’s vulnerability to natural hazards emphasizes the importance of a well-trained, professional response team, as noted by Ms. Agnetha Vave-Karamui, Solomon Islands’ National Disaster Councilwoman, during the event’s opening ceremony.

The Solomon Islands remains highly susceptible to natural hazards. Since 2011, the nation has been ranked among the top five most vulnerable countries globally out of 15 countries.

More than a dozen international and national experts from the disaster management community worked together with officers from several key Solomon Islands Government ministries and agencies for experiential learning both inside and outside of the classroom.

This unique initiative is intended to expand the Government’s national disaster response mechanism, based on international response standards.

“This induction course is a critical element in the continuing development of our NERT with the support of the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance,” said National Disaster Management Office Director Jonathan Tafiariki. “The collaboration with recognized subject matter experts distinguishes NERT training from any other disaster response training in our region. We are enormously grateful for our partnership with and support from this phenomenal group of experts.”

While only in its third iteration, the Solomon Islands has deployed NERT teams on several occasions in response to disasters, including during the COVID-19 response, Tropical Cyclone Harold, the Honiara riots, and other cyclone and flooding events in recent years.

Upon completion, graduates joined the existing pool of 64 NERT-trained personnel, ready to respond to disasters on short notice upon activation by the National Disaster Center.

In addition to a team of experts from CFE-DM, other international partners supported the NERT training with subject matter experts who provided training through academic lectures and team mentorship, including from the Australian Civil-Military Centre, the Pacific Community, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

SOURCE : U.S. Embassy