The Deadly Legacy of World War II in the Solomon Islands

As global powers like China and the United States engage in a struggle for control of the Pacific, the Solomon Islands remain in the shadow of this contemporary conflict, battling an invisible and persistent enemy: the unexploded bombs from World War II.

A Night of Tragedy

On an ordinary night in Guadalcanal, the Manele family was preparing for a simple dinner. John Manele, a subsistence farmer, was talking to his sons, Junior and Jeffry, while his wife, Loretta, attended to the rest of the meal. The crackling of the fire heating an iron plate soon turned into a nightmare. A sudden explosion hurled the family into the air, resulting in John’s instant death and the hospitalization of Junior, who succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.

Jeffry, who survived, awoke amidst the chaos, with his mother gravely injured beside him. “Everything went dark, completely dark,” he recalls, as he tried to comprehend the tragedy that had befallen his family. This type of incident, though horrific, has become a daily reality for many in the Solomon Islands, where remnants of the war continue to claim lives.

The Impact of Unexploded Ordnance

It is estimated that more than 20 people die or are seriously injured annually due to unexploded ordnance, known as UXOs, left behind by American and Japanese forces. These tragedies can occur in various ways: a curious child, a fisherman repurposing a bomb, or a farmer plowing the land unaware of what lies beneath the surface. The Solomon Islands, which have already faced the horrors of conflict, now deal with the deadly legacy left behind.

Since the Allied forces withdrew in the 1940s, the country has been pleading for help to deal with the dangers that remain buried in the soil. Although some assistance has been offered, the response has been sporadic and insufficient. Since 2011, the United States has invested only $6.8 million in ordnance removal programs, a paltry sum compared to other countries facing similar problems.

The New Geopolitics of the Pacific

Recently, the US has turned its attention back to the Solomon Islands, but not because of the unexploded ordnance. China’s growing influence in the region has raised concerns, leading to a series of diplomatic visits and celebrations of the US’s military past. However, little is said about the lives that continue to be lost due to the remnants of war.

In August, after a meeting between the US Deputy Secretary of State and the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, World War II explosives were discovered on a runway, revealing the persistence of the problem. Although the local media covered the event, the international response was minimal, highlighting the ongoing neglect of the local population’s safety.

A Life of Struggles

The Solomon Islands, an archipelago with about 700,000 inhabitants, face daily challenges. Life on the islands is marked by poverty, with most of the population relying on agriculture and fishing to survive. Infrastructure is precarious, and the lack of basic services, such as potable water and electricity, exacerbates the situation.

Loretta Manele, now a widow and disabled, struggles to support her children after losing her husband and eldest son. Education, which should be free, becomes a financial burden, and the hope for a better future for her children seems increasingly distant. The local community, which has already suffered so much, continues to be left to deal with the consequences of a war that ended decades ago but whose echoes still resonate in the lives of its inhabitants.

An Uncertain Future

The situation in the Solomon Islands is a grim reminder that the effects of war are not confined to the battlefield. Promises of international aid often fall short of what is needed, and the lack of a comprehensive plan for UXO removal perpetuates a cycle of pain and loss.

While world leaders discuss geopolitical strategies, the voices of those living in the Solomon Islands remain largely unheard. The legacy of World War II continues to take its toll, and the struggle for survival and human dignity becomes ever more urgent. The history of the Solomon Islands is not just a chronicle of a distant past but a call to action for a safer and more just future.