An earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of the Solomon Islands. It was followed by three successive earthquakes that triggered a Tsunami. Waves in excess of 10m struck the shores of the Western Island in the Solomon Islands. Initial reports show widespread damage, a rising death toll that currently sits at 28, and thousands of people left homeless. The death toll is expected to rise. The region is quite isolated and difficult to get to.
Global Medic has been asked by the National Disaster Coordinator of the Solomon Islands to respond. In cooperation with Muslim Aid and Save The Children Australia, Global Medic will deploy a Rapid Response Team to assist the region.
Details of what is needed on ground are still coming forward. A full scale assessment may take a while because of the isolated areas and obstacles in travel. In order to maximize efficiency, Global Medic will deploy an advance team.
2 members of the GlobalMedic team have been deployed from Canada and one more will join them from an active mission in Sri Lanka. The Canadian based members will be carrying several Trekker Water Purification Units with them and over 400,000 water purification tablets.
Once on the ground, the advance team will decide if a broader deployment is required. Members of the Muslim Aid team will also join the GlobalMedic team out of Indonesia in the Soloman Islands. On the ground in country we will work alongside Save the Children and local rescue officials. The other two agencies will continue relief work after our departure.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
