Solomon Islands Earthquake and Tsunami Update

Tuesday, April 3

 

 

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 death toll as of Tuesday (April 3) has risen to at least 28, and officials expect the toll to rise. At least 19 others have been reported injured. Many others have been reported to be missing, although an estimated figure is unavailable. 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. The Solomon Islands police report that the worst damage is on Gizo Island. OCHA reports that other worst-affected areas include the island of Choiseul, New Georgia islands, and Shortland Islands in the Western Province. 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. 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 a tsunami warning imposed since Monday.

 

The first official assessment was held and the National Disaster Council (NDC) says that another team will be sent soon to draft a relief plan. The chair of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) says that initial assessments indicate the “destruction was massive and widespread.” The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that an aerial assessment also confirmed the damage. The NDMO says that the initial assessment shows 916 houses damaged in Western and Choiseul provinces and the number of people affected is estimated to be around 5,409 people. The Red Cross says at least 2,000 people remain homeless in Gizo, while the NDMO believes over 5,000 are displaced. 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. A second assessment by the NDC is expected to take place in the next few days. OCHA is reporting that public health experts are warning of the potential danger of malaria outbreaks. The 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 main airport in Gizo, phone and power lines, and coastal roads were reportedly out of commission. Some damage was also reported in neighboring Papua New Guinea, and on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that there were five unconfirmed deaths. 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. Communications reportedly remain sketchy in some areas as officials try to reach outlying areas. Prime Minister Sogavare declared a national state of emergency on Monday (April 2) and held meetings with aid donors on Tuesday (April 3). The Solomon Islands government has so far not issued a formal request for help, but is expected to do so. 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. A 6-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team led by Joanne Laurence from Australia is en route to the Solomon Islands.

 

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 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). 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 of the Solomon Islands (GOSI) declared a State of Emergency in most affected areas only on Monday (April 2) and says that NDC authority will supersede any other government agencies (WHO, Apr. 3)

 

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)

 

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) Central Control Group is coordinating humanitarian assistance with the local Red Cross and has set up an office in Munda. 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. (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)

 

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)

 

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 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)

 

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

 

UN Disaster Management Team (UN DMT) meeting will take place Wednesday (April 4) in Suva, Fiji and UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO members from the Solomons will participate. (OCHA, Apr. 3)

 

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 Tuesday. (OCHA, Apr. 2)

 

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)

 

 

NGOs/IOs

 

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

 

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)

 

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 2,000 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)

 

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

 

New Zealand Red Cross 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)

 

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.

 

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)

 

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)

 

 

 

Foreign Governments

 

Australia: has extended over US$1.6 million (AUS$2 million) in emergency and reconstruction assistance to the Solomons. Funds will be channeled through Caritas, the Australian Red Cross, World Vision, and Oxfam. (WHO, Apr. 3) Australian and New Zealand military helicopters based in the Solomons as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) were expected to join relief operations. Australia is also sending an aircraft carrying food, water and other relief items. A medical assessment team is also being deployed. (GOA, Apr. 3)

 

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)

 

New Zealand says a military C-130 cargo plane was sent on Tuesday with relief items for several hundred people. Some 1,000 tarpaulins, 1,000 20-liter water tanks and 100 kitchen sets are being sent to Munda. 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)