Tropical Cyclone Maila hit the Solomon Islands in April 2026 as a Category 4 storm, bringing winds of up to 260 km/h. The cyclone affected more than 150,000 people and caused widespread damage across the region, including Papua New Guinea.
The storm damaged 21 health facilities and 84 schools, leaving roughly 15,800 students without education. About 3,600 pregnant women needed urgent help. Families lost their homes and took shelter in evacuation centres and churches. Many people depended on fishing and farming, which were destroyed by the floods.
When the floodwaters went down, something dangerous appeared. The cyclone's erosion exposed unexploded bombs, shells and mines from World War II. The Solomon Islands, especially Western Province, were the site of heavy fighting more than 80 years ago. Thousands of dangerous objects still lay buried in the soil and coastal waters. Maila's floods brought some of these weapons back to the surface.
The international community responded quickly. The UN gave US$2.5 million for emergency help. The United Kingdom provided support through UNICEF and other organizations. UNICEF set up temporary schools for children and distributed supplies. Now the Solomon Islands face a difficult future: they must rebuild homes and schools while also dealing with the dangerous remains of the past.