Fiji’s High Commissioner to NZ Receives Courtesy Call from Founder of Bomb Free Solomon Islands, Featuring in the Recent Movie, “War Below”

The Fiji High Commissioner to New Zealand, His Excellency Ratu Inoke Kubuabola was pleased to receive a courtesy call from Ms Maeverlyn Pitanoe, the Founder of Bomb Free Solomon Islands, who is a strong advocate and a survivor of the 2021 World War II unexploded bomb blast in Honiara. During her visit to the Fiji High Commission in Wellington, Ms Pitanoe was accompanied by the Director of Nine Islands Media Mr Tuki Laumea and Ms Cleo Fraser.

The purpose of the visit was to introduce the work of Bomb Free Solomon Islands and to share the organisation’s advocacy for increased regional and international support to address the continuing humanitarian, social and economic impacts of unexploded ordnance in the Solomon Islands.

It was an honour for the High Commissioner to congratulate Ms Pitanoe on the recently released documentary, “The War Below”, which documents the lived experiences of survivors and affected communities, while illustrating the enduring legacy of unexploded ordnance in the Solomon Islands. The newly released documentary brings a greater visibility to this important humanitarian issue and recognised the resilience and courage demonstrated by survivors in sharing their stories not only to the Pacific region but to international platforms.

Ms Pitanoe shared her personal accounts of the impacts of unexploded Ordnance on individuals, families and communities in the Solomon Islands. She also outlined the work being undertaken by Bomb Free Solomon Islands to amplify the voices of survivors and promote greater understanding of the long- term consequences of Unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination.

The High Commissioner acknowledged the concerns raised by Ms Pitanoe and commended Bomb Free Solomon Islands for its commitment to advocating on behalf of her people and the affected communities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, High Commissioner Kubuabola reassured Ms Pitanoe that the Fiji High Commission to New Zealand will continue to welcome supporting constructive dialogue with Pacific Stakeholders and will continue to welcome Pacific advocates and partners whose work contributes to regional cooperation, humanitarian action, and shared vision of a peaceful resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific for wellbeing of our Pacific families.

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Fiji High Commission, Wellington

Photo Caption: (L – R) High Commissioner, His Excellency, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Founder of Bomb Free Solomon Islands, Ms Maeverly Pitanoe, First Secretary, Mrs Eileen Pickering, Ms Cleo Fraser (Rep from the War Below film), Mr Tuki Laumea (Director Nine Islands Media).