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Solomon Islands

South Pacific Tsunami - OCHA Situation Report No. 7

South Pacific Tsunami - April 2007
OCHA Situation Report No. 7

This situation report is based on information received from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and National Disaster Council (NDC) in the Solomon Islands, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Fiji, OCHA Offices in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Bangkok, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and media sources.

I. SITUATION

1. An earthquake measuring 8.1 struck 345km northwest of the Solomon Islands' capital Honiara at 0740 local time on 02 April. (2040 GMT 01 April). The earthquake created a tsunami causing casualties and significant damage in the Solomon Islands.

2. The Government of the Solomon Islands (GoSI) updated casualty figures, which now stand at 35. GoSI figures for the displaced in the worst affected areas remain at around 5,500 people. An estimated 1,500 currently located in twelve spontaneous camps near the urban centre of Gizo.

3. Streams and rainwater catchments are main sources of water for the displaced communities. New water tanks have been established in Gizo town, as many tanks and pipes were damaged by the earthquake. Sanitation remains a problem in the spontaneous camps near Gizo.

4. Shops in Gizo reportedly retain stocks of food, but many are yet not open for business. The shops and markets are expected to open in the next couple of days, which is expected to improve food supply. Water and sanitation, effective food supply chain and disease surveillance remain a considerable challenge.

5. The GoSI reports that sufficient medical staff and supplies are now available within the Solomon Islands to meet current needs. Staff rotation from non-impacted areas will be required as many health care personnel have themselves been affected by the disaster.

6. As the disaster-affected communities begin to return from higher ground, the number of injured presenting to medical facilities may slightly increase. The hospital at Gizo was badly damaged by the earthquake but has now been assessed by an engineer and is considered stable.

II. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

7. The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is closely collaborating with UNDAC in strengthening coordination and information management. The NDMO completed its first situation report on 07 April and shared at the Cabinet meeting on 8 April in the afternoon.

8. Richard Dictus, the UN Resident Coordinator based in Fiji, arrived in Honiara and met with the UN Agencies and the Director of the NDMO. The next general coordination meeting is planned for Monday 09 April.

9. Activities in the health sector have been a main focus of the relief activities. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has proactively dispatched an initial response team to the affected area on 02 April, and additional staff on 06 April. The MOH staff assessed levels of supplies, human resources and equipment needs in all clinics and key health centres; and is currently assessing disease trends.

10. Five medical teams have been deployed to provide support to the MoH, from the Red Cross, France, Taiwan, Canada and Australia. Replenishment of drugs and other medical supplies were air lifted to Gizo by a French military aircraft.

11. Four strategic health bases have been set up in Gizo, Munda, Taro and Sassamunga, with health coordinators and contacts established at bases in Gizo and Munda. Hospital stocks from other areas have been moved to these bases, and it is reported that Gizo has sufficient medical supplies, while Taro is still waiting for supplies expected to arrive shortly.

12. The basic health surveillance system is monitoring in particular evidence of diarrhoea-related illness, malaria and measles. A measles and vitamin A campaign will be set up next week.

13. The Solomon Islands Red Cross distributed three containers of family packs to all the affected areas. Three UNICEF Emergency Health Kits were distributed to Sasamunga, Nila and Vonunu on 07 April; another one is due to arrive on 08 April. MoH directed 48,000 treated bed nets to the affected areas. 360 electrolytes fluid packs were sent to Munda Health Center.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

14. UNDAC Honiara is compiling an overview of donor contributions to determine where additional funding or resources may be required. Collated needs and damage assessment data from the affected areas is also urgently awaited.

This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OSOCC Internet Website http://www.unocha.org/vosocc and on the OCHA Internet Website http://www.reliefweb.int/.

MAP: Solomon Islands: South Pacific Tsunami - 2 April 2007 (as of 05 Apr 2007)

UNDAC Team Contact Details:

UNDAC Team leader
Location: National Disaster Management Office, Honiara
Office +677 27 837, +677 27 051
Mobile +677 88716, +677 88718

UNDAC Field Team, Gizo
Location: Provincial Administrators Office for NDMO,
Mobile +677 88 697, +677 88 696
Satellite +870 764 130894

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok)

Ms. Amanda Pitt
Regional Public Information and Advocacy Officer
Tel. + 66 2288 1195
Fax: +66 2288 1043
Mob. + 66 1374 1035
e-mail: pitta@un.org

Desk Officers:

(NY) Mr. Wojtek Wilk (desk officer for SI earthquake and tsunami) Tel. +1-917 367 9748 e-mail: wilkw@un.org
(GVA) Mr. Erik Kastlander Tel. +41-22-917 1587

Press contact:

(NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker Tel. +1-917 367 5126
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs Tel. +41-22-917 2653

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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