Solomon Islands Earthquake and Tsunami

At 7:40am, local time, on Monday 2nd April 2007, the Solomon Islands was hit by an earthquake measuring over 8 on the Richter scale. The subsequent tsunami with waves of up to 5 metres high struck during daylight hours.

Most people were able to move to higher ground after the earthquake and they saw the ocean recede prior to the tsunami coming in. The death toll, currently 24 confirmed dead, is expected to grow as information comes in from surrounding, more isolated islands.

There is extensive damage to houses, public buildings and transport in the Western province and neighbouring islands of Simbo, Kolombangara, Mono, Choiseul and Ranango. The small town of Gizo bore the brunt of the tsunami.

Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA has worked in the Solomon Islands since 1996. Currently, we are part of a consortium of three Australian aid agencies supporting vocational skills training in rural areas working through over 30 Community Based (non-residential) training and learning centres and selected residential Rural Training Centres, called the Community Learning for Action Network (CLAN). We also work with the Melanesian Farmers First Network to support sustainable agricultural to improve sustainable livelihoods and food security.

Two consortia staff associated with our work in the Solomon Islands have lost family members in the tsunami. The finance officer for the consortium project lost her grandmother while the program managers from one of our partner agencies has lost his mother.

Australia has a significant military presence in the Solomons as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which is assisting the relief effort with staff, transport and logistics. Government agencies, NGOs, international agencies and donors are now assisting to deliver emergency aid to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, with water, food, medicines and temporary shelter being provided.

However, thousands of homes were destroyed and significant public infrastructure will need to be rebuilt. Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA will be working with our two consortium agencies and local partners to assess damage to our CLAN partners and assist their communities to rebuild and repair homes, community centres, and their lives. There will need to be a participatory process of consultation and prioritisation with local communities to reduce vulnerability in the event of future disasters and enhance community resilience. We will be working in close collaboration with Development Services Exchange, the umbrella body for local NGOs in the Solomon Islands, who are coordinating the NGO response to ensure the best use of resources.

If you would like any further information on Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA's work in the Solomon Islands, please contact our Executive Officer, Peter Jennings by email or +61 2 9264 9343.

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 10-Apr-2007 16:26:08 EST
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