Victims of Cyclone Zoe in the Solomon Islands will receive further food aid and supplies from Australia, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus, announced today.
'Australia will contribute 70 tonnes of rice, fuel for outboard motors and wire mesh to secure home roofing before the next cyclone season,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Australia has sent a food security expert to assess food and crop security and will be delivering supplies in the next few days.
'Cyclones last December and again in June, devastated Tikopia and Anuta and destroyed houses, churches, schools and health clinics, removing topsoil, vegetation and food crops and damaging water supplies,' Mrs Gallus said.
'The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands is providing ongoing assistance and working with the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to deliver the supplies.
'We continue to work closely with the NDMO to strengthen their ability to respond to such disasters.
'This assistance, worth $63,000, takes Australian support for victims in Tikopia and Anuta to more than $300,000,' Mrs Gallus said.
Media contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus)
02 6277 4840 / 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489