Attachments
Highlights
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7.8-magnitude earthquake struck 62 kilometres west southwest of the Makira provincial capital of Kirakira at 4:39 a.m. on 9 December
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Tsunami warning and watch were cancelled on 9 December Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office issued an “all clear” message at 10:25 a.
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Provinces of Makira and Malaita were most severely affected
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To date, UNICEF has provided a 1500-litre collapsible water tank with distribution kit and 3,000 pieces of soap following a request from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services
Situation overview & humanitarian needs
A 7.8-magnitude undersea earthquake that occurred at 4:39 a.m. on 9 December 2016, 62 kilometres west southwest of the Makira provincial capital of Kirakira in Solomon Islands claimed at least one life and affected 6,897 people, the Solomon Islands National Disaster Council has reported. The earthquake damaged or destroyed 305 homes and damaged 11 schools and one health clinic.
Strong tremors were felt in the Provinces of Makira, where the earthquake triggered a tsunami, as well as Malaita, Guadalcanal and Rennel and Bellona. A Pacific-wide tsunami alert, initially issued for Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Kosrae and New Caledonia, also was cancelled at approximately 5:55 a.m. A tsunami warning and watch advice issued immediately after the earthquake for Makira, Temotu, Malaita, Rennel and Bellona, Central Islands, South Guadalcanal Provinces was cancelled at 9.30 a.m. Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) issued an “all clear” message at 10:25 a.m
The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) of the Solomon Islands, in collaboration with Provincial Emergency Operation Centres (PEOC), has determined that the earthquake significantly impacted the Provinces of Makira and southern Malaita. Based on initial damage reports, disaster management authorities anticipate humanitarian needs related to non-food items, emergency shelter, protection and water, sanitation and hygiene. Needs are expected to become clearer once assessment team data is collected and reported.