Solomon Islands receive shelter after natural disaster

An earthquake measuring 8.1 struck 345 km (215 miles) northwest of the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara at 7:40AM local time on 2 April. The earthquake created a tsunami causing significant damage in the Solomon Islands.

The quakes sent waves 10 feet high crashing into shops and homes in the town of Gizo. The Solomon Islands Red Cross reported that around 2,000 people, or 10 percent of the population in Gizo, became homeless with about 500 homes being damaged or destroyed. Reports from other islands revealed similar or worse levels of damage.

Prime Minister Sogavare assured victims of the affected provinces that his government through the National Disaster Council and other agencies is fully committed to assist victims of the disaster. He has welcomed aid from neighbouring regions of the Pacific.

The Government of New Zealand despatched a Hercules transport plane to Munda to deliver 2.5 tonnes of rice and other relief supplies. The New Zealand Red Cross provided 1,000 tarpaulins, 1,000 20-litre water tanks and 100 kitchen kits on 3 April.

The United States has contributed US$250,000 to support immediate relief needs.

The Australian Government has contributed A$2 million (approximately US$1.6 million). An Australian Hercules transport plane also delivered 500 tarpaulins, 900 water containers, 30 nylon ropes, 500 blankets, 50,000 water purifying tablets and emergency medical field packs to Western Province.

The interim Government of Fiji has provided a cash grant of F$25,000 (approximately US$ 5,000).

Rotary District 9600 (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and parts of Australia) is working closely with clubs affected the damage to Solomon Islands Western and Choiseul provinces. Rotarians are assessing the scope of urgent needs and planning long-term rebuilding.

The disasters left about 9,000 homeless. Members of the Rotary Club of Honiara and the Rotary Club of Gizo have been on the ground determining the state of sanitation, clean water, shelter, and necessary supplies.

The district contacted suppliers of ShelterBox, which sent 200 units, each containing a 10-person tent and other survival equipment from the United Kingdom to Australia and on to the island’s capital of Honaira. “From there, it’s about another 200 miles by sea to Gizo, which is where the worst damage occurred,” says ShelterBox spokesperson Huw Thomas.

In addition to the ShelterBoxes, the district arranged for the delivery of 400 Aquaboxes, 30 solar water purifiers, and cooking utensils. The shipping of mosquito nets is also being expedited, as public health experts are warning of the possibility of malaria outbreaks among the displaced.

District 9600 reports many offers of help from local and oversees communities, including Thailand, which was devastated in 2004 by a tsunami. Rotarians previously working in Gizo and Babanga are returning to rebuild their businesses and the community’s infrastructure.

According to Past District Governor Charles Guesdon, local communities responded favorably to Rotarian fundraising efforts at various Australian shopping centers on 7 April. “Further talks are being held to plan additional long-term responses,” he says. The district will now focus on the long-term disaster recovery phase by providing funds to rebuild the island’s water supply, schools, hospitals, and sanitation.

RI District Governor Michael Gregory has appointed Director Nominee John Lawrence to handle fundraising, Guesdon to coordinate all relief and reconstruction, and District Governor Nominee Wayne Morris, of the Rotary Club of Honiara, to act as a local liaison.