New Footpath Brings Safer Access for Siwai Community

AUKI, Malaita Province – FOR residents of Siwai Community in Auki, the provincial headquarters of Malaita Province, walking to the market or church has long meant navigating muddy, flood-prone ground. Now, that is beginning to change.

Through the CAUSE II Project, a new footpath is under construction – bringing safer, more reliable access to one of Auki’s most vulnerable communities.

Located on swampy land near Lilisiana, Siwai is highly exposed to flooding and rising sea levels. The existing pathway, built from coral stones, has remained incomplete and difficult to use.

Today, progress is visible.

Around 70 meters of footpath has already been completed, with another 100 meters still to go. Once finished, the pathway will serve approximately 260 residents, along with many others who pass through the area – especially on weekends for church services.

For local vendors, the impact could be immediate.

“This footpath will help us walk safely and carry our goods without struggling through mud like we always have before. We are very happy with this development,” a group of women vendors revealed.

CAUSE II Project’s Resident Work Supervisor for Auki PIU, Joe Ruriti highlighted, “The project is already gaining strong appreciation from residents who see it as more than just infrastructure – it is a pathway to safer movement, improved livelihoods, and resilience against changing environmental conditions.”

As construction continues, the Siwai footpath is becoming a clear example of how targeted community infrastructure can make everyday life easier and safer.

Implemented by the Solomon Islands Government, CAUSE II is supported by the World Bank and the Australian Government through the PNG and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The project aims to improve urban infrastructure, strengthen climate resilience, and expand employment opportunities across key urban centres in Solomon Islands.

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