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The St Helena Resilience Forum (SHRF) met on Monday, 30 March, to assess the potential impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on the island. Stakeholders gathered to evaluate risks to the local supply of essential commodities and services, including fuel, food, medicines and building materials.
Following the delivery of fuel this week, the St Helena Resilience Forum (SHRF) are reassured that St Helena has sufficient fuel supplies to last until at least August 2026 based on current usage.
The SHRF continues to monitor global events and developments closely and stands ready to implement any measures necessary to maintain steady supply chains and safeguard the island’s resilience.
While the SHRF is actively managing risks, the public can also play a positive role. By making sensible efficiencies where possible, such as reducing unnecessary fuel usage, minimising waste and supporting local products and services, everyone can contribute to strengthening on-island resilience.
Travellers undertaking holidays abroad, work trips or other journeys are advised that delays, cancellations and wider travel disruption may occur. Those transiting through the Middle East should check with their travel providers for the latest information and ensure they have appropriate travel insurance in place.
St Helena Government thanks the community for its continued cooperation and encourages the public to stay informed through official updates.
#StHelena #ResilienceForum #EssentialSupplies
Please be advised that the main Scotland Office will close tomorrow, 02 April 2026, at 14:00. This is to allow essential works to be carried out. In the case of emergency please call 26162. We will reopen as normal on Tuesday, 07 April.
Maundy Thursday falls this year on Thursday 02 April 2026. It is St Helena tradition to spend this time fishing at various locations around the island.
To help ensure that we all stay safe the Sea Rescue Service offers the following safety advice.
If you’re planning a fishing trip, please inform family members and friends of your intended location and time of return. It is also advisable to consider taking the following items with you:
- VHF radio, mobile phone or other means of communication
- Life jacket
- Any prescription medication
- Adequate food and water
- Suitable clothing for the weather conditions, including hi-vis clothing
- First aid kit
- Adequate lighting
Please do not fish alone.
The Sea Rescue Service teams will be patrolling the various fishing areas around the island throughout Maundy Thursday night. If any assistance is required, you can call for help on VHF Channel 16, which will be monitored at all times by the Emergency Services Call Centre (call sign ‘St Helena Radio’).
The teams can also be signalled by flashing or waving a light and, as usual, will still be contactable in an emergency via telephone number 999.
The tides on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are as follows:
Maundy Thursday 2026 High Tide – 03:01 hrs. 0.91 meters above chart datum
Low Tide – 09:09 hrs. 0.03 meters above chart datum
High Tide – 15:24 hrs. 0.96 meters above chart datum
Low Tide – 21:31 hrs. 0.09 meters above chart datum
Good Friday 2026 High Tide – 03:32 hrs. 0.91 meters above chart datum
Low Tide – 09:40 hrs. 0.05 meters above chart datum
High Tide – 15:53 hrs. 0.94 meters below chart datum
The Safety Security & Home Affairs Portfolio would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Easter.
SHG
01 April 2026
St Helena recently welcomed a delegation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), reinforcing the island’s ongoing commitment to strengthening maritime safety, governance and capability.
The visit formed part of continued collaboration between St Helena and the MCA, supporting the island’s development as a compliant and responsible maritime administration aligned with international standards and Red Ensign Group expectations.
The highlight of the week was the official opening of the St Helena Maritime Training Centre, a significant milestone in the island’s maritime journey. The event was attended by invited guests including His Excellency Governor Phillips, alongside representatives from the MCA, government officials and key stakeholders.
The new training centre, funded by the UK Government represents a major investment in building local maritime capability. It will support the development of seafarers, improve safety standards and provide a sustainable platform for maritime training on island. The initiative aligns with St Helena’s long-term vision to enhance resilience, strengthen compliance with international conventions, and create opportunities within the maritime sector.
Throughout the visit, the MCA delegation engaged with local teams, reviewed operational arrangements and provided technical support, further strengthening the partnership between St Helena and the United Kingdom in maritime matters.
This visit represents another important step forward in St Helena’s maritime development, demonstrating a clear commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration and the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
Photos
Mrs Wendy Benjamin, Capacity Building Support, delivers a presentation to stakeholders
The St Helena Maritime and UK MCA Teams
Mrs Wendy Benjamin with Ms Elise Carlo and Ms Alison Leighton of the UK MCA
#StHelena #Maritime #MCA
St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to announce the launch of “Our Island, Our Space, Our Responsibility,” a new community campaign delivered through a cross-portfolio collaboration between Economic Development (ED), Safety, Security and Home Affairs (SSHA) and Environment, Natural Resources and Planning (ENRP). This initiative calls on every resident to take an active role in caring for our island. The aim is to build lasting community pride in our shared spaces.
A Call to Community Action
At the core of this initiative is the belief that a beautiful St Helena is a reflection of the pride we take in our community. We have seen what is possible through the dedicated efforts of Crown Estates and HM Prison, who have significantly contributed to a brighter, cleaner island through improvement works. Improvement works delivered to date include:
Landscape and Grounds Maintenance
- Playground Remediation: HTH and Longwood (pre-equipment installation).
- Blue Hill Field Centre: Ongoing quarterly maintenance.
- Ladder Hill Business Park: Ongoing weekly maintenance.
- Vegetation and Litter Clearance: Sisters Walk, The Colonnade (including bulky waste), The Moat, and the Sand Yard.
- Grounds maintenance for SHAPE 20th Anniversary and the Agricultural Show (signage production).
- Community and Heritage Sites: Strimming at Levelwood / Blue Hill Community Centres and Head Owain/St Mark’s Church.
- Hedge Planting: Installed 300+ saplings at Dungeon Cemetery.
Facility Upgrades and Repairs
- Essex House: Internal/external painting and gardening for Property Service.
- Plantation House: Shutter renovation.
- Furniture and Carpentry: Assembled furniture for Maritime Centre; produced raised plant boxes for CCC and Cape Villa.
- Infrastructure: Erected fencing around the Horse Point Landfill silo.
Logistics and Support
- Immigration and Customs: Assisted relocation from Customs House to Rupert’s.
- Maritime Centre: Exterior site tidying.
These improvements help restore and maintain spaces that are important to the community. The campaign invites all of us to act as guardians of these restored spaces by helping keep these areas clean and cared for.
Minister for ED and ENRP, Karl Thrower, commented:
“By bringing together the Economic Development, SSHA, and ENRP Portfolios, we are demonstrating that we are one team with one goal: a cleaner, prouder St Helena. The sheer variety of work achieved, from the vital grounds’ maintenance at our community centres and historic sites to the essential infrastructure improvements at HPLS, is a testament to what we can accomplish when we break down silos and pull in the same direction.
However, the Government can only do so much on its own. We have worked hard to restore these spaces to their rightful standard, but their longevity depends on all of us. I urge the public to join us in this partnership. By participating in the new domestic recycling pilot, you aren’t just managing waste; you are helping us secure a more sustainable future for the generations to come.”
Launch of the Domestic Recycling Pilot
To support caring for our island and reducing the pressure on the Horse Point Landfill Site (HPLS), Waste Management Services (WMS) is inviting households to register for a new domestic recycling service. Participants will be supplied with a 120L green wheelie bin specifically for clean plastics, cardboard, paper, and cans, with this collection service expected to commence in April or May 2026. Whilst glass is not included in this doorstep collection during the pilot phase, WMS will keep the option under review and encourages residents to continue depositing clean glass at existing island-wide recycling hubs. For households currently using communal skips, WMS is reviewing the installation of communal recycling hubs alongside existing skips to ensure everyone can participate in this recycling effort.
How to Participate
For more information on how to join this multi-agency effort, please contact the WMS team at Scotland by email at karl.martin@sainthelena.gov.sh, or by telephone on 24724 with your name, contact number, and address.
WMS will keep this new service under constant review, using participant feedback to make necessary adjustments.
Photos
Work completed Essex House by the Crown Estates Development Team, before and after
Saplings planted at The Dungeon Cemetery
The Colonnade, before and after
SHAPE, before and after
#StHelena #OurIslandOurSpaceOurResponsibility #AltogetherGreener
The Health and Social Care Portfolio (HSC) is calling on all residents, particularly those born before 1989, to check their measles vaccination status as part of a new Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination campaign.
Measles is one of the most contagious viral infections known, spreading rapidly through coughing and sneezing. While routine childhood vaccinations were introduced on St Helena in 1989, many residents born before this date may lack natural immunity or full vaccination coverage.
The Risk to the Island
With measles cases rising globally, there is a significant risk of the virus being introduced to the island. Because a significant portion of the adult population lacks immunity, an outbreak could spread quickly, leading to severe illness or even death.
The Catch-Up Campaign
To mitigate this risk, the HSC Portfolio, supported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is launching a targeted vaccination drive expected to begin in mid-April. Residents are encouraged to register their interest if they:
- Were born before 1989
- Believe they missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine
- Are unsure of their vaccination status
Safety and Eligibility
The MMR vaccine has a proven global safety record. If you are unsure if you have been vaccinated, there is no risk in receiving an additional dose. Note: Individuals who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system should consult a health professional before registering.
How to Register
To check your record or register your interest, please contact the Health Promotion Team on 25949. Please leave your name, contact details, and whether you wish to check your status or receive the vaccine. We will share further information on dates and times for the vaccination clinics once we have gauged interest.
#StHelena #MMRVaccine
The MT TALISKER is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Tuesday, 31March at 13:00. Weather permitting, the vessel will berth alongside Rupert’s Jetty where bunkering operations will commence.
During this time, Rupert’s Cargo Management Facility, the beach, Jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will be under Access Level 3, meaning these areas will be restricted to authorised personnel only.
Access will remain restricted until all bunkering operations are completed and the vessel has departed.
Once the vessel leaves, restrictions will be reduced to Access Level 1 whereby vehicular access is allowed through the Facility.
St Helena Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding.
St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to advise that the Playgrounds Project on Longwood Green, funded by the UK Government through the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), is progressing well and is anticipated that the majority of the facilities will be ready for use by Maundy Thursday, 02 April 2026.
In addition to the existing equipment, the playground will include a junior slide set, motorbike and donkey springers, a swing fitted with a team seat, a separate swing fitted with a cradle seat (for infants), and a children’s timber fitness trail.
Some of the family friendly facilities such as shade gazebos, concrete picnic bench sets and wooden seats will also be installed.
Please note: the large timber climbing frame (next to the fitness trail) will not be available for use from Maundy Thursday, a soft surface has to be installed beneath and around it, which is planned for later in of April/May. This equipment will be fenced off and should not be used.
AC’s Multi-skill Contractors, the contractor selected for playgrounds installation, and His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) residents, are diligently working towards the playground being ready for use by Maundy Thursday.
The public will be updated further when all works on the playground at Longwood Green is completely finished and use of the large timber climbing frame is permitted.
The playground being developed at Half Tree Hollow remains a construction area, with no equipment installed, albeit significant ground works have been completed. This area should not be used until announced that the playground is ready for use, which is likely to be in May.
To ensure these facilities stay in top condition for years to come, we kindly ask for your help in looking after them.
Photos
Donkey and Motorbike Springers
Junior slide set
Shade Gazebos
Pictured is Arnold Crowie, Director of AC’s Multi-skill Contractors, with a new playground sign.
Children’s timber fitness trail
Residents of the HMP Prison working on the project
#StHelena #PlaygroundsProject #LongwoodGreen
The Roads Section has successfully resurfaced 9km of roadway as part of the current maintenance programme. However, resurfacing between Five Bar Gate and Button-up Corner remains incomplete. Work was scheduled to continue last Friday and be completed this week on Monday and Tuesday, but unfavourable weather conditions have prevented progress. Slurry works cannot be carried out today, and the weather forecast for the coming days presents further risks that will not be taken.
As a result, there will be no road closures between Briar’s Junction and Button-up Corner for the remainder of this week.
Slurry works are now planned to take place from Wednesday, 8 April to Friday, 10 April with daytime road closures from 09:00-15:00 on these dates.
The public are thanked for their continued support, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Judge Richard Wright KC was officially sworn in today, 30 March 2026, as the Chief Justice of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. This follows the previous announcement regarding his formal appointment to the role.
Judge Wright succeeds Judge Rupert Jones, who has presided over the territory’s judiciary since 1 January 2022.
The Governor on behalf of the three governments of the territory stated:
“I wish to thank Judge Jones for his service to the territory. I wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Photo
Judge Richard Wright KC
#StHelena #ChiefJustice