AusAID / Countries / Pacific / Solomon Islands

Development Priorities

Other information

Solomon Islands

Contact //Tel: +61 2 6178 4000
Fax: +61 2 6178 4880 // Post: GPO Box 887, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

Overview
See our results
Funding
Research
Maps

Parliamentary Secretary visits Solomon Islands

Ministers announce next stage of Pacific Sports Partnerships

Enhanced partnerships for development between Australia and Solomon Islands

Australia continues support to combat Solomon Islands’ dengue fever outbreak

Australian Government to assist the people of Solomon Islands

Overcoming the sounds of silence

Solomon Islands children in the classroom

Class is in

How we are helping

Estimated outcome for 2012/13

$196.5 million

Budget estimate for 2013/14

$187.9 million

Strategic goals

Priority	Spend (%)
Total	100
Saving lives View all initiatives	17
Promoting opportunities for all View all initiatives	13
Sustainable economic development View all initiatives	15
Effective governance View all initiatives	46
Humanitarian and disaster response View all initiatives	0
General development support	9

The Partnership for Development supports mutually agreed areas for development in Solomon Islands. Through the Partnership, Australia supports improved health and education services, activities that enable rural households to earn more, improved transport, telecommunications, water and sanitation facilities as well as assisting the Solomon Islands Government to address economic and fiscal challenges.

Australia also supports disaster management, assists non-government organisations to strengthen community level development and provides over 50 scholarships for study in Australia and the region.

Australia has invested $669.1 million in Solomon Islands in the previous three years. Some of the key results include:

Through our support to the health sector, 85 per cent of women now deliver their babies with a skilled birth attendant. We also helped reduce malaria to fewer than 45 cases per 1000 in 2012 (from 199 in 2003).
Access to clean water and sanitation facilities improved for 23,600 people in 2010–11.
Maintenance of 344 km of roads during 2012 enabled improved access to services and markets. The maintenance work created at least 207,000 person days of short-term employment, with women accounting for more than 55 per cent of this.

More on expected outcomes can be viewed under the ‘see our results’ tab above.

Australia expects to provide $187.9 million in development assistance to Solomon Islands through the bilateral and regional programs in 2013–14. This includes the programs transitioned from RAMSI to the Partnership for Development. We will:

continue to support the decline in the incidence of malaria and by 2015 reduce malaria related deaths to near zero
help ensure that 95 per cent of all health facilities are equipped with microscopes or diagnostic tests to ensure the accurate and rapid identification of malaria cases
fund the construction of 40 community water or sanitation systems providing up to an additional 10,000 rural people with clean water or basic sanitation
work to improve the competency of 1,500 primary school teachers through formal training, development of classroom assessment tools and regular school visits by experienced education officers, in order to improve low literacy and numeracy rates.

Saving lives

Results to June 2012

Malaria cases per 1,000 reduced from 199 in 2003 to 77 in 2009 to 49 in 2011.
Improved access to clean water and sanitation for 23,600 people in 2010–11.
86 per cent of births in 2010 attended by skilled health personnel.
Health facilities have essential medical equipment and supplies around 90 per cent of the time (70 per cent in 2008).
An additional 4,623 births made safer due to the attendance by skilled health personnel.

Commitments 2012–13

Improved health services, including reduction in child and maternal mortality and increased numbers of stocked and staffed clinics.
Faster, more accurate malaria diagnosis in 95 per cent of health facilities.
Continued improvements to the quality, reliability and coverage of water services in Honiara and other urban centres.
Improved access to clean water and sanitation for 15,000 people in rural communities.

Promoting opportunities for all

Results to June 2012

Removal of school fees in 2011, helping more than 140,000 young Solomon Islanders get an education.
Scholarships and support for 95 students in 2012 for technical and vocational training.

Commitments 2012–13

Increase in number of tertiary scholarships, so more students can access tertiary education at Australian and Pacific regional institutions.
Improved retention rates and improved literacy and numeracy outcomes in primary education.
Continued roll-out of the mobile telecom network to rural areas.

Sustainable economic development

Results to June 2012

36 community infrastructure projects built since 2007 (e.g. village solar power and water supply systems); further 170 under construction and 166 designed.

Commitments 2012-13

Continued maintenance of more than 500km of road per year and upgrade to key wharves. Half the 80,000 workdays a year this creates will go to women.
Strengthen the Solomon Islands Quarantine Service to carry out core functions of pest and disease control, trade facilitation and market access.
Improved income and food security through support for Kastom Gaden Association to provide advice, training and access to more productive and resilient crop varieties for over 3,000 farm households.

More on sustainable economic development

Humanitarian and disaster response

Results to June 2012

Rendova Earthquake 2010: $75,000 provided to Oxfam, Solomon Islands Red Cross and World Vision Solomon Islands.
Cyclone Ului 2010: $80,000 provided to Oxfam and $50,000 to World Vision Solomon Islands.
Flash Floods 2010: $50,000 provided to Solomon Islands Red Cross and World Vision Solomon Islands.

Commitments 2012–13

Upgraded bridge infrastructure on Guadalcanal to make transport infrastructure more resistant to flood damage.
Realignment of key sections of road in North Malaita to move away from the coast and reduce the risk of inundation and flood damage.

Provide support for those affected by the Makira floods.

More on humanitarian and disaster response

Australian ODA to Solomon Islands, 2001–02 to 2013–14 ($m)

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The graph above shows AusAID's expenditure in Solomon Islands from 2001-02 to 2013-14.

The exact values are as follows:

2001-02: AusAID $31,614,655, OGD $8,960,668
2002-03: AusAID $31,756,385, OGD $1,745,851
2003-04: AusAID $85,703,129, OGD $53,830,708
2004-05: AusAID $97,468,451, OGD $81,607,973
2005-06: AusAID $107,237,531, OGD $111,724,694
2006-07: AusAID $104,360,817, OGD $130,919,078
2007-08: AusAID $107,647,254, OGD $129,867,602
2008-09: AusAID $117,010,366, OGD $99,323,708
2009-10: AusAID $131,497,621, OGD $126,859,929
2010-11: AusAID $131,532,140, OGD $106,018,648
2011-12: AusAID $135,643,142, OGD $99,381,808
2012-13 (estimated outcome): AusAID $127,359,876, OGD $69,116,649
2013-14 (budget estimate): AusAID $128,463,206, OGD $59,483,935

Australian ODA to Solomon Islands by strategic goal, 2010–11 to 2013–14 (%)

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The graph above shows Australian Official Development Assistance to Solomon Islands by strategic goal.

The exact values are as follows (%):

2013-14 (budget estimate)
Saving lives: 17
Promoting opportunities for all: 13
Sustainable economic development: 15
Effective governance: 46
Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
General development support: 9
2012-13 (estimated outcome)
Saving lives: 14
Promoting opportunities for all: 11
Sustainable economic development: 14
Effective governance: 56
Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
General development support: 5
2011-12
Saving lives: 11
Promoting opportunities for all: 8
Sustainable economic development: 12
Effective governance: 64
Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
General development support: 5
2010-11
Saving lives: 11
Promoting opportunities for all: 5
Sustainable economic development: 11
Effective governance: 70
Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
General development support: 3

Other ODA in Whole of Government 2010-11 to 2012-13 ($'000)

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The graph above shows the Australian Official Development Assistance to Solomon Islands by Other Government Departments.

The exact values are as follows:

Attorney-Generals—Customs and Border Protection:
2010-11: $1,167,631. 2011-12: $907,370. 2012-13: $1,310,340.
Attorney-Generals—Australian Federal Police:
2010-11: $101,085,012. 2011-12: $92,291,961. 2012-13: $78,888,382.
Defence:
2010-11: $588,560. 2011-12: $945,411. 2012-13: -.
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations:
2010-11: $489,074. 2011-12: $231,533. 2012-13: -.
Finance and Deregulation:
2010-11: $267,275. 2011-12: $319,806. 2012-13: $280,831.
Foreign Affairs and Trade—ACIAR:
2010-11: $1,505,721. 2011-12: $1,531,578. 2012-13: $1,298,295.
Foreign Affairs and Trade—DFAT:
2010-11: $889,404. 2011-12: $2,781,475. 2012-13: $2,481,513.
Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education:
2010-11: -. 2011-12: $372,674. 2012-13: $701,355.
Innovation, Industry, Science and Research:
2010-11: $10,656. 2011-12: -. 2012-13: -.
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Community:
2010-11: $15,314. 2011-12: -. 2012-13: -.
ACT Government:
2010-11: -. 2011-12: -. 2012-13: $255,932.

Research overview

Good research can lead to positive change for the world’s poorest people by enhancing the design and implementation of development policies and programs. This is why AusAID is committed to an innovative research portfolio and funds research, including:

competitive funding mechanisms (such as the AusAID Development Research Awards Scheme)
research partnerships with different Australian, international and developing country research institutions
commissioning research to address a specific question or clearly defined research gap
one-off research grants, when an existing program of research is relevant to the Australian aid program.

Research funded by AusAID’s Solomon Islands country program targets the country’s specific development challenges. Research is also carried out on a regional level. Some of the highlights of this AusAID-funded research are listed below.

Solomon Islands Family Health and Safety Study: A study on violence against women and children

This report of the Solomon Islands Family Health and Safety Study analyses data and reports on findings of the first nationally representative study on violence against women and children.

This national survey was carried out by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in partnership with the Government of Solomon Islands, with funding from AusAID and the United Nations Population Fund. Using this evidence base, the Government of Solomon Islands has adopted a National Policy on Eliminating Violence Against Women and action plan to address violence against women. The results of the study are also informing legal reform of the Penal Code, which is being undertaken by the Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission.

Solomon Islands Family Health and Safety Study: A study on violence against women and children

People's Surveys (2007–2011)

The People’s Survey is an independent annual survey that provides a unique insight into the opinions of Solomon Islanders on a wide range of issues, including business and employment, law and order, public accountability and access to services.

The survey also provides important statistics on areas that are not directly related to RAMSI's work, including health and education.

People's Surveys (2007–2011)

Audience Market Research in Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands Media Assistance Scheme (SOLMAS) aims to improve the reach and quality of all Solomon Islands media.

SOLMAS initiated a project involving an all-media audience survey in Honiara and provinces to determine the needs of audiences and to explore whether these are being met. SOLMAS is an AusAID funded media for development project delivered through a partnership between RAMSI and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Audience Market Research in Solomon Islands

Where is the Solomon Islands?

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Country statistics

Population: 518,870 (2009)

GDP growth (5 year average): 7.1% (2011)

Percentage population living on less than $2 a day: 22.7% (2006)

Net Primary School completion rate: 70% (estimate)

Ratio of female to male primary enrolment: 100 girls per 100 boys (2010)

Mortality rate of children under 5 (per 1,000): 36 (2009)

Maternal mortality (per 100,000): 146 (2010)

Why we give aid

Solomon Islands is one of Australia’s closest neighbours.

Since 2003, Australia has invested significant resources through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to restore peace and security following a period of civil conflict known as the ‘Tensions’. After nine years of RAMSI engagement, the country is peaceful and stable.

Australia’s bilateral aid program has also increased to reflect greater emphasis on health and education services, job creation and maintaining transport infrastructure to ensure access to markets and essential services.

Find out more about why we give aid to Solomon Islands

Find out more about the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands

How we give aid

Australia provides support for development in the Solomon Islands through the bilateral Partnership for Development, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and through a range of regional and global programs such as scholarship and volunteer initiatives. The bilateral Partnership for Development is a joint Solomon Island – Australian commitment to work together to reduce poverty and support stronger progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

Find out more about how we give aid to Solomon Islands.

Read the Solomon Islands Transitional Country Strategy 2006-mid 2007

Find out more about the Solomon Islands–Australia Partnership for Development