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4/4/07 - Solomon Islands - Earthquake Disaster
Latest NDC reports have increased fatalities up to 21 confirmed dead, and 100 people injured. NDC now estimates that up to 15,000 people may have been displaced by this earthquake.
Transportation in affected areas remains an issue of concern. Many local water crafts were destroyed by the event. There are functional air strips only in two islands. The remaining areas must be accessed by boat.
Updated 4/4/07 10.30am
4/4/07 - Solomon Islands - earthquake Disaster Update
The Solomon Islands' recent unrest and its remote location make response to this disaster challenging. FTH will work closely with a NZ representative from our relief partner church, Rhema Family Church. They will assess the situation, current aid levels, and best routes to provide relief and recovery assistance.
Monday morning's powerful earthquake has caused significant damage in the Solomon Islands and there are also reports of limited damage in Papua New Guinea. Tsunami warnings were issued as far north as Hawaii, and as far south as Tasmania.
"The earthquake has been followed by a series of at least 27 smaller
aftershocks, though no further damage has been reported. The Australian Seismological Centre has warned that there is a high possibility of further large earthquakes in the days to come.The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has confirmed 13 dead, 7 missing, 19 injured and over 916 homes destroyed in the affected areas in Western and Choiseul provinces. The NDMO believes that some 5,409 have been displaced.
The Government of the Solomon Islands (GoSI) declared a state of
emergency on 2 April. Choiseul, New Georgia Islands and Shortland
Islands in Western Province are among the worst affected areas. The Solomon Islands Police reports that the worst damage is on Gizo Island.
An assessment mission organized by the National Disaster Council
(NDC) on Choiseul Island on 2 April reports an estimated 1,000 houses destroyed. An aerial assessment on the same day also confirmed widespread destruction. More detailed information has been difficult to obtain due to communication outages and difficulties with access.The NDC has identified the following priority needs: Shelter items
(tents and tarpaulins), Food and utensils, Water and containers, Medical supplies, Clothing and Tools."OCHA Situation Report No. 2
South Pacific Tsunami
3 April 2007
3/4/07 - Solomon Islands - Earthquake Disaster
At approximately 7.30am, Monday 2/4/07, an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the richter scale struck just 40km away from the western island of Gizo in the Solomon Islands.
Although reports are still sketchy, it's believed up 22 people may have been killed, many of them children, by waves measuring 3-9 meters in height - sweeping 500m inland. It is expected that over 2 villages, or 900 homes will have been destroyed leaving several thousand people homeless.
FTH relief partners from Rhema Family Church Whangarei - New Zealand - are dispatching a representative on the next available flight to assess the damage and the sort of assistance that will best suit the situation.
FTH Australia and New Zealand has set aside funds for emergency transfer but more is needed.
You can make a donation to Solomon Earthquake Relief Operations by clicking here.
information updated 3/4/07 3.50pm
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