Ecological Solutions Foundation

02/03/2026

UUSC Supports Life-Saving Water Access for Vulnerable Island Communities in Solomon Islands

The Ecological Solutions Foundation (ESF) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) for its generous support through the Loss and Damage Grant 2022-2023, which has enabled the provision of 5 x 5,000-litre rainwater tanks to some of the most water-insecure communities in the Solomon Islands.

The support benefits the low-lying islands of the Three Sisters Islands—namely, Malaupaina Island and Malaulalo Island—and Su’umoli Village on Ulawa Island—communities that lack existing water supply systems. For these island and coastal populations, access to clean and safe water has long been a daily struggle.

The newly installed rainwater tanks are already making a transformative difference, particularly for women, children, youth, girls, the elderly, and people with disabilities, who are most affected by water scarcity. With clean water now available closer to homes, families are experiencing improved hygiene, reduced physical burden, and greater dignity in meeting their daily needs.

This initiative reflects UUSC’s commitment to climate justice, addressing loss and damage impacts faced by frontline communities that contribute least to climate change yet experience its harshest effects. Through this partnership, ESF and UUSC are strengthening community resilience with practical, community-led solutions.

Women and children are often responsible for fetching water, which can require walking long distances, exposing them to physical strain and safety risks. Elderly individuals may struggle with limited mobility, making it difficult to access clean water for their daily needs. This scarcity not only affects health and hygiene but also limits opportunities for education and economic participation, particularly for women and children.

Voices from the Community

“Previously, we had to fetch water from far away, which made life very hard, especially for women,” said Judith Hou of Su’umoli Village. “Now, the rainwater tank has made a big difference for our community.”

An elderly person on Malaulalo Island, Mrs. Selina Tolairamo, highlighted that “Life is now easy with the rainwater tank close to their home. We no longer had to walk inland to access water sources in the swamp where the sago palms are growing.”

“When water is scarce, the burden falls most heavily on women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities,” said Hensllyn Pwe’a Boseto of ESF. “Providing rainwater tanks has significantly improved their livelihoods.”

The Ecological Solutions Foundation acknowledges UUSC’s solidarity and partnership in ensuring that vulnerable island communities are not left behind. Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and this support represents hope, dignity, and resilience for communities facing increasing climate risks.

02/03/2026

We are a member of the Western Province Network for Sustainable Environment (WPNFSE). This network brings together a number of environmental organisations in Western Province, business houses and the Western Provincial Government to strive to ensure Western Province is safe, environmentally friendly and continues to be the tourism hub it boasts to be.

WPNFSE had been doing these clean ups annually for about 10 years now. The clean ups had been shocking each year, and this video hits hard. We need to change our mentality and attitudes, but more importantly, we need an integrated collaboration and advocacy, including with the companies that produce products that end up in the sea, especially beverages and plastics.

Thank you, PCFML, Dive Gizo, and all WPNFSE members and volunteers, for the great work in keeping our Gizo seafloor and town clean.

10/10/2025

We are proud to share that , our annual partner convening, is happening next week. Together with regional leaders, we will build power and support community-led climate solutions across the Pacific.

Our gathering focuses on the intangible impacts of climate change. such as the loss of culture, language, and place, and puts Indigenous leadership and decolonized grantmaking at the center. Pacific Climate Warriors - Aotearoa, Te Whanganui a Tara, Fiji Women's Rights Movement, Ecological Solutions Foundation, Te Toa Matoa, Jo-Jikum, TuCAN, Kioa Island Community Organisation, Tulele Peisa, Inc.

Thank you to all the partner organizations joining us to protect culture and strengthen resilience. Learn more about why Pacific Rising matters and follow along for updates. https://www.uusc.org/pacific-rising-the-power-of-participatory-decision-making/

28/03/2025

Second Protected Area for Makira Ulawa Province Declared!

28/03/2025

On Thursday 27th March 2025, Waihita Conservation and Protected Area, was publicly declared as the second Protected Area in Makira Ulawa Province.

The launching, public declaration and handing over of the Protected Area Certificate at Piruma Village, Weathercoast of Makira Island was officiated by the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Hon.Trevor Mahaga. Also present from Honiara were; Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Franklyn Wasi who is also their Member of Parliament for East Makira for which Piruma Village is located, Deputy Secretary Karl Kuper, IFMP National Focal Point and Project Manager, Douglas Yee, Senior Environment Officer, Fredrick Dotho and Ecological Solutions Foundation (ESF) GIS Officer, Isaac Junior Qoloni. Police officers from Kirakira were also present.

In 2020, ESF started working with the Waihita tribal landowners in pursuing the Protected Areas (PA) process. In 2022, their PA Application was submitted. On the 10th of September 2024, their Protected area was gazetted.

We are humbled to be involved in this project and acknowledge the many stakeholders who were involved in this IFM Project, like ECD, MAL, Live and Learn, Makira Ulawa Provincial Goverment, and all the individuals who worked tirelessly through out the process. You are appreciated for your commitment and passion towards conservation work.

We thank Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the Funding under GEF 5 and SIG (MECDM, MAL & MFRM).

📸 Sha Keh

12/03/2025

Official Ranger ID's for Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Area (PTFPA) were handed over to Ecological Solutions Foundation. These ranger IDs will be handed over to the Pamahima PA rangers soon.

This event marked a crucial step for Pamahima Association. Rangers play a significant role in conservation. Most Rangers around the world risk their lives for the sake of preserving the natural resources.

https://solomons.gov.sb/mecdm-formalizes-pamahima-tribal-forest-protected-areas-ptfparangers-with-issuance-of-rangers-id-cards/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI-SuhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHd3iAj2sPkiZdTjceoZiSyW-IcODXBt_uzrBwyY3eF7178EJ_0P0T7_xzg_aem_Vj_A5oqYr--lpSWIzX8Opw

MECDM Formalizes Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Areas (PTFPA)Rangers with Issuance of Rangers ID Cards.   HONIARA, Solomon Islands, 3rd March 2025 – The Environment and Conservation […]

04/03/2025

We are humbled and honoured to be part of the journey for the Pamahima Tribal group since year 2020.

The first protected area declaration for Makira Ulawa Province had been celebrated on Thursday 27th February 2025. The next PA declaration will be for scheduled for this month of March 2025 for Waihita Conservation and Protected Area.

Makira-Ulawa Province launches first-ever 350 hectares of protected forest area   HONIARA, Solomon Islands: The Pamahima tribal community, the National and Provincial Government, the FAO Integrated […]

04/03/2025

https://solomons.gov.sb/makira-ulawa-province-launches-first-ever-350-hectares-of-protected-forest-area/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIzN-tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSAdzYz-umQOX0ArZ_aBMnySWqZQG_XD6NoClIkp29IjqCWWRU5LzxLlTw_aem_XfStmoOot3SsnXzpKcASAA

27/02/2025

Today, our team would like to extend our congratulations to the people of the Pamahima tribe, as tribal land will be Declared as the first Protected Area in Makira/Ulawa Province. When they first requested the ESF team to support them with the PA processes, I was reluctant to work with them because they have an active logging license over their tribal land. They have proved their desire to protect their land by going to the extent that they revoked the logging license before the ESF team started the PA processes with them, and today we congratulate them for reversing a logging concression area to become the First Declared PA in Makira/Ulawa Province. We must also acknowledge IFMP/FAO for the financial support and ECD, MECDM for their technical advices and support along the way.

04/11/2024

04/11/2024

Ecological Solutions Foundation supports two Gizo Schools with the WASH project.

Since 2020, Ecological Solutions Foundation has initiated a WASH project for Gizo Primary School and Emmanuel Christian Academy as part of a COVID-19 precaution project and loss and damage project.

Gizo Island is highly vulnerable to climate change. Moreover, it lacks a water supply.

For years, Gizo Primary School has lacked water for students' sanitation. Students have to fetch water from the well to flush the toilet.

ESF provided Gizo Primary School with two 1000 L and two 3000 L rainwater tanks, handwashing stations, and flush systems for the ablution block, including improving the guttering system to deliver water to a large cement water tank. Moreover, a water pump was provided to the school to transfer water from the cement tank to the two water tanks connected to the toilets for flushing waste.

Now, the school no longer had to fetch water from the well to flush the toilets.

Emmanuel Christian Academy was also provided with a 3000 L rainwater tank, which adds to their existing water tanks for drinking and handwashing.

We sincerely acknowledge the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) for providing funds to support WASH projects for Gizo Primary School and Emmanuel Christian Academy.

18/10/2024

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