UNICEF delivers tents and education supplies to cyclone-affected schools in Western Province to support learning.
Emergency education materials including 20 high performance tents are now on-board local vessel MV Sunshine departing the provincial capital Gizo in Western Province for the islands of Simbo and Ranongga today Monday 1 June 2026.
This is part of UNICEF’s direct support to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development’s (MEHRD) Cyclone Maila response in the Western Province.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) for the Western Province Education Provider, Mr. Samuel Parubule said after the distribution in Simbo and Ranongga, the vessel will return to Gizo to load the remaining consignment for affected schools in Vella La Vela and Shortland Islands.
“The consignment is made up of high-performance tents as well as education kits and other accessories provided by UNICEF for affected schools.
“The tents will be used as temporary classrooms and learning space for students. We have visited the schools and some of them are yet to resume classes.
“Others have already resumed classes but because of the vulnerability of the buildings it is good that UNICEF has provided these tents so that our children can have a safe learning space to use to continue their education,’ Mr. Parubule said.
A total of 20 high performance tents are been allocated for Western Province and will be distributed to 12 schools in the islands of Ranongga, Simbo and Vella La Vela.
This includes 16 High Performance tents (72m2), which can accommodate 50-70 learners for learning continuity, and 6 High Performance tents (48m2) that accommodates 40-50 learners.
“The arrival of these tents will give confidence especially to the teachers and communities and also the students too so that they can continue with their learning,” Mr. Parubule added.
The 12 schools were identified after an initial assessment report conducted by Education Sector engineering teams who carried out detailed structural assessments of schools severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila in April.
Two schools, Nusa Simbo Primary in Simbo and Leona ECE in North Vella La Vela have been badly damaged by the Cyclone and their education infrastructure has been condemned and closed down following the assessments.
These assessments are purposely to help MEHRD and partners determine which school buildings are safe, which require urgent repairs and which may need temporary learning spaces while recovery work continues.
According to data from the Provincial Education Provider, a total of 18 schools from early childhood to secondary schools have been directly affected in islands of Ranongga, Simbo and Vella La Vela, impacting 1,741 students.
SOURCE: Press Release MEHRD
