Solomon Islands Earthquake and Tsunami Update

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

 

 

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

 

Current Status

 

An 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Solomon Islands on Monday (April 2) at 6:40 a.m. (2040 GMT on Sunday) damaging houses and buildings and triggering a local tsunami less than 5 minutes later.  The National Disaster Council (NDC) puts the death toll as of Wednesday (April 4) to at least 34, with several dozen missing. At least 19 others have been reported injured. Most of the deaths were reported to be from Gizo town, with an estimated population of some 6,000 people. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare warned more bodies could be found as officials try to assess the damage and said that the disaster could have been worse if the earthquake struck a few hours earlier in darkness. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the shallow quake, some six miles below the sea floor, was centered some 25 miles (45 km) south-southeast of the island of Gizo, New Georgia Islands in the Western Province and located some 220 miles (350 km) northwest of the capital, Honiara. The USGS said that the initial quake was followed by a second one of magnitude 6.7 around 7 minutes later, centered further west. At least 27 smaller aftershocks have been reported, but have reportedly not caused any new damage. However, the Australian Seismological Centre is warning that there is a high possibility of further large quakes. According to Reuters, the International Seismological Center said that the quake was the biggest to hit the Solomons since 1900. Tsunami waves reached as high as 16 feet, and went as far inland as half a mile, according to some reports. The earthquake triggered a Pacific–wide tsunami alert, which was lifted about nine hours later (0540 GMT Monday). Officials said Tuesday that the Government of the Solomon Islands (GOSI) lifted the tsunami warning imposed since Monday. Some damage was also reported in neighboring Papua New Guinea, and on Tuesday, reports say that there were five unconfirmed deaths. OCHA reports that limited damage was caused in PNG, which includes Kangu Wharf, Buin and Torokina (Bougainville), Lae and Rossel Island (Milne Bay Province).

 

Aerial surveillance shows that the worst-affected areas in the Western and Choiseul provinces appear to be the southern coast of Gizo, Simbo Island and the central southern coast of Choiseul between Moli and Posarae and Sasamunga. The National Disaster Council (NDC) says that other affected areas include Ranogga, Shortlands, Munda, Noro, Vella la Vella, and Kolombangarra. The NDC says that some 5,500 people are thought to be displaced, with some 1,500 displaced on Gizo Island, most of who are thought to be sheltering in the hills above Gizo town. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that three more known internally displaced persons (IDP) sites have been established in Mumamgu, Titana and Numanda in the Western Province. The Government of the Solomon Islands’ (GOSI) Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) estimates that up to 50,000 people may be affected out of a total population of 100,000 in Western and Choiseul provinces, according to OCHA. UNICEF has also said that there is an estimated 50,000 people affected, out of which approximately 30,000 are children and 15,000 under the age of five. The Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) says that some children in the campsites are beginning to experience diarrhea.

 

Australian and New Zealand troops based in the Solomons as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) have joined relief operations. RAMSI is providing 4 planes and 1 helicopter for relief operations. RAMSI resources are being used to evacuate the badly injured to Honiara, transport relief, and help with damage assessment. At least 100 additional Australian soldiers have been deployed to assist RAMSI.

 

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) says that initial assessments indicate the “destruction was massive and widespread.” The NDMO says that the initial assessment shows 916 houses damaged in Western and Choiseul. However, OCHA is reporting that the NDC puts the range from between 900-2,500 houses that have been destroyed. OCHA says the tsunami caused widespread damage to dwellings made from traditional materials, while the earthquake caused more damage to sturdily-constructed buildings as well. UNICEF is also reporting that 30 primary schools have been damaged. The Red Cross also says that outlying villages have yet to be reached. Officials say they are awaiting more detailed assessments from at least four other islands: Taro, Simbo, Choiseul and Ranunga. Communications reportedly remain sketchy in some areas as officials try to reach outlying areas. A second assessment by the NDC is expected to take place in the next few days.

 

The hospital in Gizo is reportedly damaged beyond use. A temporary hospital has been set up and the badly injured have been evacuated to the capital Honiara. OCHA says that there are reports that health facilities in Taro, Sasamunga, Vella la Vella (Maravari) and Shortlands (Toumua) are also badly damaged and 50 percent of all health centers in the affected areas do not have radio coverage. Officials say they have asked Australia and New Zealand for two mobile hospitals. OCHA says that public health experts are warning of the potential danger of malaria outbreaks. The World Health Organization (WHO) is dispatching staff to provide support for malaria control. A health assessment is being conducted by the GOSI Undersecretary for Health Services and Prime Minister Sogavare has requested the establishment of a field hospital in Gizo as the main hospitals in Gizo and Munda are reportedly unusable. Sasamunga hospital on Choiseul was also reportedly partly flooded and WHO says a number of clinics and small hospitals have been damaged. Initial reports say roughly half of rural health centers have been damaged.

 

The GOSI reported that power and telephone services in Gizo had been restored on Tuesday (April 3). The main airport in Gizo, phone and power lines, and coastal roads had been out of commission. OCHA had said earlier that the Gizo air field is still functioning, but debris needs to be cleared from the runway before it can be used. Prime Minister Sogavare declared a national state of emergency on Monday (April 2) and held meetings with aid donors on Tuesday (April 3). OCHA had contacted the Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the UN in New York as well as the Deputy UN Resident Coordinator in Suva, to offer assistance. Upon a request by the GOSI on April 3, a 6-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team led by Joanne Laurence from Australia is en route to the Solomon Islands and is scheduled to arrive on April 5.

 

Background

 

The impoverished Solomon Islands, located northeast of Australia, has a population of roughly some 550,00 people who live on some 200 remote and scattered islands in the South Pacific, many of whom live in simple palm and bamboo houses on beaches across the country. The Solomon Islands earns some money from tourism through small dive resorts, but most of the population lives on subsistence farming and fishing. The Solomon Islands lies on the “Pacific Ring of Fire” where earthquakes and volcanic activity is relatively common. Gizo town has an estimated population of some 6,000-7,000, while the island of Gizo, a popular diving and fishing spot, has an estimated population of roughly 10,000-20,000. Western Province has a population of some 62,000 people (1999). According to the USGS and World Health Organization (WHO), on July 21, 1975, a tsunami hit Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea, killing some 200 people. (OCHA, Apr. 3).

 

 

Government Response

 

Government response is coordinated by the NDC and NDMO, and is chaired by the Department of Home Affairs. NDC is establishing “Action Desks” in the sectors of food, health, shelter and infrastructure, to be led by the respective GOSI ministries. (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

The Central Coordinating Group (CCG) is tasked by the NDC for operational issues and is led by the Chief Police Officer. The CCG has created a sub-office in Munda, the largest town in the Western province. (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

The Deputy Police Commissioner says that three large police vessels and aircraft were distributing aid to priority areas. (AFP, Apr. 4)

 

GOSI says an Emergency Operations Center is now in operation in Gizo and manned by all Heads of Departments. (GOSI, Apr. 4)

 

Government of the Solomon Islands (GOSI) declared a State of Emergency in affected areas on Monday (April 2) and says that NDC authority will supersede any other government agencies (WHO, Apr. 3) GOSI has declared the Western and Choiseul provinces as “national disaster areas” which gives GOSI better access to private and public transportation and additional budgetary flexibility, according to OCHA. (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

The NDC has declared priority needs as being tents, tarpaulins, food, utensils, water, containers, medical supplies, clothing and tools. (OCHA, Apr. 2)

 

Three search and rescue missions organized by the GOSI and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) are underway. (OCHA, Apr. 3)

 

NDMO sending four boats with food, water and medical supplies to affected areas, including Choiseul and Shortland Islands. A sea journey can take up to 12 hours from Honiara. (OCHA, Apr. 3)

 

Three medical teams comprised of six doctors and 13 nurses are scheduled to fly Wednesday (April 4) to affected regions from Honiara. The teams will set up medical centers at Gizo, the nearby town of Munda and on Taro Island on Wednesday (April 4). (AP, Apr. 3)

 

Ministry of Health plans to set up 8 large emergency field units, 4 in hospitals and 4 in large rural clinics. Each unit can reportedly cover the needs of 10,000 people for 3 months. WHO and partners will assist 4 units, while UNICEF offered to support the 4 others. (WHO, Apr. 3) Confirmed locations for the hospitals include Gizo, Taro, and Sasamunda. (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

Undersecretary for Health Services is conducting a health assessment and a report is expected by Wednesday (April 4). Prime Minister Sogavare has asked for the establishment of a field hospital in Gizo as main hospitals in Gizo and Munda are damaged. (OCHA, Apr. 3) WHO reports the Sasamunga hospital in Choiseul was partly flooded.

 

Health experts warn of potential malaria outbreaks and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community is working with the government to distribute mosquito nets, spray insecticide and distribute health information to affected people in the Western Province. (OCHA, Apr.3)

 

National Response

 

The Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) will carry out an initial distribution of First Aid kits in Gizo town and has dispatched a boat containing tents. (OCHA, Apr. 2). The SIRC has a small warehouse in Gizo, but all the emergency supplies there have already been distributed. (VOSOCC, Apr. 2) SIRC said Wednesday that it had passed out all the emergency supplies it had in Gizo and was waiting for supplies from a New Zealand military transport plane to arrive there. The plane reportedly had landed in the nearby town of Munda. SIRC says the number one priority there is clean water. (AP, Apr. 4)

 

International Response

 

United Nations

 

A 6-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been deployed and is led by Joanne Laurence from Australia. The UNDAC team consist of members from AusAID (Australia), Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (Melbourne, Australia), Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (New Zealand), OCHA and UNDSS. OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific has deployed a Humanitarian Affairs Officer from their Papua New Guinea office to join the UNDAC mission. (OCHA, Apr. 3) All UNDAC team members expected to arrive by Thursday (April 5). UNDP, UNICEF, UNDSS and WHO have deployed staff from Fiji to the Solomon Islands. (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

UN Disaster Management Team (UN DMT) meeting took take place Wednesday (April 4) in Suva, Fiji and UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO members from Honiara participated by teleconference. The group expressed support for the UNDAC and agreed to coordinate activities. An expanded meeting will take place Thursday (April 5). (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) deploying one staff member to provide security coverage for the UNDAC team. (WHO, Apr. 3)

 

UNICEF: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has pre-positioned emergency medical supplies for up to 10,000 people, including ten emergency kits, five “school in a box” kits, and three recreation kits. UNICEF will also deploy it Pacific Emergency Focal Point - a trained member of the UNDAC team - to the country Tuesday. (OCHA, Apr. 2) UNICEF is requesting an initial US$500,000 to meet the urgent needs of children and women in affected areas. (UNICEF, Apr. 4)

 

UNOSAT is providing support with satellite imagery of the affected areas. (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

World Health Organization (WHO): has offered assistance to the government and is participating in NDC meetings. The WHO country liaison officer is in contact with the Undersecretary for Health Services in coordinating the response. WHO Suva, Fiji staff has been deployed to Honiara and expected to arrive Wednesday (April 4). WHO also providing technical support and mobilizing resources for malaria control. (WHO, Apr. 3) WHO is planning to supply Emergency Health Kits in coordination with partners. (OCHA, Apr. 4)

 

 

NGOs/IOs

 

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has local staff on the ground who is conducting assessments in coordination with the NDMO. ADRA has made US$10,000 available and will consider additional funding. (ADRA, Apr. 4)

 

Asian Development Bank (ADB) says it has communicated its offer of support to the GOSI. Staff from the ADB Pacific Department will be sent soon to assist in identifying reconstruction and rehabilitation needs. (ADB, Apr. 4)

 

There are currently 14 Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) members working in the Solomons.

 

Australian Red Cross (ARC) is sending medical equipment and at least two staff members to assist the SIRC. Also sending relief items including 300 first aid kits. AusAID has given ARC US$200,000 to provide assistance. (ARC, Apr. 4)

 

Caritas says it is looking to respond through the local chapter and through Caritas Australia and Caritas New Zealand depending on the situation. (Relief Web, Apr. 2) Caritas Australia currently undergoing an assessment.

 

Church World Service will work with international response partner Action by Churches Together (ACT) to monitor the situation and explore the best routes to provide relief and recovery assistance. (CWS, Apr. 2)

 

Catholic Relief Services stands ready to commit an initial US$100,000 to aid emergency relief operations in the Solomon Islands. CRS will respond through partners Caritas Australia and Caritas Solomon Islands. (CRS, Apr. 2)

 

Council for International Development (New Zealand) says the following New Zealand based NGOs are running appeals: Christian World Service (CWS), Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, World Vision New Zealand, ChildFund New Zealand, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Oxfam New Zealand, Rotary New Zealand and Save the Children NZ. (CID, Apr. 4)

 

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD)

 

International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says it has allocated some US$53,000 from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to respond to the disaster. IFRC plans to implement the operation over four months for some 5,000 people. IFRC is going to deploy a DM delegate to the Solomons. IFRC preliminary emergency appeal is for US$819,000. An IFRC International Disaster Response Team is on stand by. (OCHA, Apr. 3) Five-member assessment team expected to arrive on Wednesday (April 4).

 

International Organization for Migration (IOM) is being deployed to the Solomon Islands. Another team in East Timor is on stand by. (OCHA, Apr. 3)

 

Muslim Aid has sent a team with the group, Global Medic, who will work on clean water issues. The joint team will supply portable water purification systems and distribute water purification tablets. (Muslim Aid, Apr. 4)

 

New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC) has a Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT) – trained staff member and an experienced WATSAN engineer on standby. NZRC has pledged $10,000 (US$7,000) to SIRC and will provide in-kind assistance of 100 family kits (self-contained kitchen sets), 50 hurricane lamps and water containers. (OCHA, Apr. 3) NZRC sent 1,000 tarpaulins, 1,000 20-liter water tanks and 100 kitchen sets to Munda on April 3. (OCHA, Apr. 4) NZRC will deploy another three staff and a communication kit. (NZRC, Apr. 4)

 

Oxfam reports that immediate needs include food, water and shelter. (OCHA, Apr. 2) Oxfam leading the disaster assessment and response team by the NDMO that includes Oxfam, UN, Red Cross and government ministries. Oxfam Australia is deploying three staff to help with relief efforts. (Oxfam, Apr. 3)

 

Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS): is following up on reports that there was some damage in the seaside areas of Bougainville, which borders the northern islands of the Solomons. (IFRC, Apr. 2)

 

Save the Children has sent a team to the Solomons along with relief supplies. Save the Children says that it has been working in the Solomons for more than 20 years and has 45 staff members there. (SC, Apr. 4)

 

Telecoms Sans Frontieres: deploying team from Bangkok on Tuesday (April 3) to help provide telecommunications support.

 

World Vision: one of the largest NGO's in the Solomon Islands will be responding. Paul Martell, Interim National Director has said that they will look to initially address the immediate need for emergency shelter and food. Assessments will be undertaken in relation to the restoration of water and sanitation as World Vision's major reconstruction input. (WVI, Apr. 2) WVI will send a team on Wednesday (April 4) to assist with disaster assessment and is planning to visit remote areas of Western and Choiseul provinces. (OCHA, Apr. 4) WVI has appealed for US$500,000-700,000 emergency program. WVI has also sent first shipment of relief via plane to the Solomons. (WVI, Apr. 4)

 

 

Foreign Governments

 

Australia: has extended over US$1.6 million (AUS$2 million) in emergency and reconstruction assistance to the Solomons. Some US$500,000 will be channeled through Caritas, the Australian Red Cross, World Vision, and Oxfam. (WHO, Apr. 3) Australia is also sending an aircraft carrying food, water and other relief items. A medical assessment team is also being deployed. (GOA, Apr. 3) AusAID is deploying a health assessment team to assess health reconstruction needs in coordination with GOSI assessment teams, WHO and UNICEF. (OCHA, Apr. 4) A Hercules transport plane will deliver 500 tarpaulins, 900 water containers, 30 nylon ropes, 500 blankets, 50,000 water purification tablets and emergency medical field packs to the Western province on Thursday (April 5). A team of four medical staff will be sent on Friday (April 6).

 

The Commonwealth has expressed support to the Solomons government. (Commonwealth, Apr. 3)

 

European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) is deploying a regional rapid response assessment officer. (OCHA, Apr. 3)

 

Fiji will provide a cash grant of $F25,000 (US$15,000) to GOSI.

 

France said that it is flying a plane full of relief supplies and water treatment equipment from its nearby territory of New Caledonia. (AFP, Apr. 4)

 

New Zealand sent a military C-130 cargo plane with 2.5 tons of rice and other relief supplies to Munda on Wednesday (April 4). (OCHA, Apr. 4) Another transport plane is on stand by. New Zealand will contribute some $500,000 (US$360,000) towards the disaster. (GONZ, Apr. 3)

 

Pacific Islands Forum will make available FJD$20,000 (US$12,318) from the regional Disaster Relief Fund for the Solomons. (PIF, Apr. 3)

 

Australian and New Zealand military helicopters based in the Solomons as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) have joined relief operations. RAMSI is providing 4 planes and 1 helicopter for relief operations. RAMSI resources being used to evacuate the badly injured to Honiara, transport relief, and help with damage assessment. 100 additional Australian soldiers have been deployed to assist RAMSI. RAMSI peacekeepers have been in the country since 2003.

 

United States will contribute US$250,000 to support relief needs. (OCHA, Apr. 4)