Solomon Islands Earthquake and Tsunami Update

Monday, April 2

 

 

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 tsunami which left at least 13 people dead.  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. Strong aftershocks have been reported throughout the day. According to Reuters, the International Seismological Center said that the quake was the biggest to hit the Solomons since 1900. Most of the deaths were reported to be from Gizo town, with an estimated population of some 6,000 people, according to CNN, and the UN is reporting that many people remain missing. 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. A few reports say that some villages have been “completely wiped out.” According to the BBC, a state of emergency has been declared. 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). According to OCHA, widespread damages were reported in the towns of Gizo, Noro, Mono Island and Simbo Island. Some damage was also reported in neighboring Papua New Guinea, however, there were no immediate reports of fatalities or injuries. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) reports that over 2,000 people have been made homeless. The SIRC is also reporting widespread damage to infrastructure, while Oxfam reports more than 500 houses were damaged in Gizo town. The Natural Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in Western and Choiseul provinces organized a preliminary assessment comprised of a team from the NDMO, government ministries, police department, SIRC, New Zealand Aid and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Preliminary results indicate immediate needs include food, water and shelter. OCHA says that the Gizo air field is still functioning, but debris needs to be cleared from the runway before it can be used. However, communications reportedly remained sketchy in some areas as officials tried to reach outlying areas. The Solomon Islands government has so far not issued a formal request for help, but is expected to do so. OCHA has 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. A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is on stand-by and is ready to assist the Solomons upon the request of the Government of the Solomon Islands (GOSI).

 

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 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, while the island of Gizo has an estimated population of roughly 10,000. Western Province has a population of some 62,000 people (1999).

 

 

Government Response

 

Government officials and the SIRC are reportedly setting up a base in the Western Province to coordinate assistance. (BBC, Apr. 2)

 

Police from Honiara working with the Participating Police Force have sent boats and aircraft to the Western Province to conduct an assessment. (OCHA, Apr. 2)

 

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)

 

 

International Response

 

United Nations

 

A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is on stand-by.

 

OCHA has 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 to the Solomon Islands government.

 

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 United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team - to the country tomorrow. (OCHA, Apr. 2)

 

 

NGOs/IOs

 

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)

 

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)

 

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. IFRC is going to deploy a DM delegate to the Solomons.

 

New Zealand Red Cross has a Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT) – trained staff member and an experienced WATSAN engineer on standby.

 

Oxfam reports that immediate needs include food, water and shelter. (OCHA, Apr. 2)

 

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)

 

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)

 

 

Foreign Governments

 

Australia: has extended over US$1.6 million (AUS$2 million) in emergency and reconstruction assistance to the Solomons. (OCHA, Apr. 2)