Reuters AlertNet Lite - World Vision plane carries aid and extra relief staff into stricken Solomon Islands

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FROM THE FIELD

World Vision plane carries aid and extra relief staff into stricken Solomon Islands

04 Apr 2007 05:07:00 GMT
Source: World Vision - International
Andrea Russell, Regional Relief and Crisis Communications Manager

Website: Website: http://www.wvasiapacific.org

Background

• South Pacific quake

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Emergency aid is finally getting through to thousands of people many of whom were left homeless and injured by the tsunami in the Solomons, after a quake measuring 8.0 hit the Islands at 07:40 local time on Monday (20:40 GMT Sunday). Huge waves struck the shores and swept through villages and towns causing widespread destruction to homes, schools and churches and killing around 25 people.

50-60,000 lives have been impacted and World Vision reports now show that 10-20,000 people have lost their water supplies, 5,000 people (at least) are without food or shelter and around 10,000 people have lost their livelihood. The effect of these issues may lead to a high potential for morbidity.

The town of Gizo continues to be the worst hit, with its buildings and infrastructure completely destroyed and hospitals still struggling to provide medical assistance after water flooded the building - many residents now have to sleep in the open in the hills above the town.

Today Wednesday (April 4), Paul Martell, Interim National Director for World Vision Pacific Development Group issued a formal World Vision declaration of a CAT 1 level emergency in the Solomon Islands and has appealed for a US$500,000 - 700,000 emergency relief program.

Paul said, "Our disaster program team has flown into the Western province to conduct assessments and plans on visiting villages in remote rural areas, as well as Gizo and Munda, to gather further information about the extent of damage. We have also sent the first shipment of relief supplies to the Islands, which will leave on a Government Ship today (April 4). Work will be done on completing initial proposals over the Easter period. Our priority will be to not only address immediate needs such as food, water and shelter but to look at long term reconstruction and rehabilitation of those communities whose lives have been devastated by this disaster."

The immediate to medium term relief supplies will consist of:

Kitchen utensils, 20 ltr water containers and food storage containers Tarpaulins for temporary shelters Food (Oil, flour, salt, sugar, ready mixed coffee/tea, rice and canned tuna) Rice is local SolRice (white rice) Water tanks and other appropriate water supply materials Clothes and blankets will be included Seeds and tools for restoration of livelihood. Survival Kits/Emergency kits

There are currently no World Vision ADPs (Area Development Programmes) in the Pacific, however as many of the victims of the disaster are children, their welfare and protection continue to be a key focus. Four additional World Vision personnel are enroute to the Solomons from New Zealand and Australia to support the relief programme.

World Vision is by far the largest NGO in the Solomon Islands and will take a joint lead approach with the Red Cross. Recently key Solomons staff have had emergency response training and SPHERE training. These staff will lead the response. There is some fear the quake and the aftershocks may be a result of the adjacent volcano being about to erupt. There is no sign of that yet.

So far World Vision international offices have committed the following funds: WVUS is committing 25K from emergency funds, and pursuing USG donation details USAID - 50K (Local Embassy funds) WVNZ - 40K WVAUS - 90K from AUSAid and have launched an appeal through the media WVCAN - 30K

For further information, photos, footage or media interview requests, please contact either:

· Paul Martell, Interim National Director on ph +675 311 2530, Cellphone (PNG) +675 681 6911 Cellphone (Int) +64 21 229 3695 (Papua New Guinea)

· Frieda Kana WV country program manager (Solomons) on + 677 230 092 (office) or (home) +677 27724

· Tanya Rad WV Program officer (Solomons) on cell +677 94307

Or Andrea Russell (India), Regional Crisis and Relief Communications Manager Asia Pacific either by email: andrea_russell@wvi.org or +91 040 40179428 (home office); +91 99892 38223 (mobile).

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Wed Apr 4 05:17:23 2007