OCHA Situation Report No. 11
South Pacific: Tsunami
13 April 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from the National 
Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and National Disaster Council (NDC) of 
the Solomon Islands, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Fiji, 
OCHA Offices in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Bangkok, UN agencies, NGOs, 
donors and media sources.

SITUATION

1.An earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale struck 345km 
northwest of the Solomon Islands' capital Honiara at 0740 local time on 
02 April. (2040 GMT 01 April). The earthquake created a tsunami causing 
casualties and significant damage in the Solomon Islands. The NDC 
reports that the affected area includes Gizo, Simbo, Ranogga, Shortland 
Islands, Munda, Noro, Vella la Vella, Kolombangarra and parts of the 
southern coast of Choiseul. Gizo, Simbo Island, western coast of 
Ranongga and the central southern coast of Choiseul between Moli and 
Posarae and Sasamunga are worst-affected areas.

2.The Government of the Solomon Islands (GoSI) estimates the casualty 
figure at 35 (some media put the number at 43). The number of affected 
populations is estimated at 9,000 people (1). At least 1,500 people 
still require urgent assistance.

3.Several aftershocks (magnitude 3) that affected the western Solomon 
Islands on 11-12 April prompted rumours of another tsunami among the 
affected populations. The GoSI is encouraging the communities to return 
to their homes to begin reconstruction and facilitate provision of 
assistance.

4.Assessments completed in the last days indicate that the population of 
Vona Vona lagoon suffered considerable damage and is in need of 
additional food. Their sanitation and water supply facilities also 
require repair. In Renvoda island, two villages (Madili and Rendova 
harbour) have been be badly damaged. In the Shortland Islands, the 
village of Tumora was also damaged. Clinic in Mila, the main health 
facility for the Shortlands, was damaged and most of the supplies were 
lost or damaged. The tsunami-affected communities in Kolombangara are in 
need of tents and food. Shortage of NFIs (cooking utensils, soap and 
clothes) in other areas has also been reported. Thoroughout the 
tsunami-affected areas, psychological trauma is evident.

5.Stagnant water, contamination of water sources, poor sanitation and 
limited access to health facilities are heightening the risk of malaria, 
diarrhoeal and respiratory diseases. Reports of new diarrhoea and 
possible pertussis cases have been received, although levels do not 
reach emergency threshold. A continuous, heavy rain forced the makeshift 
hospital on Gizo Hill to relocate to a wing of Gizo hospital. In 
Sassamunga (Choiseul island), the hospital and medical clinic is badly 
damaged; medical debris and hazardous material have contaminated the 
local water source.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

6.Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced that he will take a 
five-day tour of the affected areas of the Western and Choiseul 
Provinces. His party will include government officers to conduct 
educational awareness talks.

7.The NDMO is compiling a database of key indicators from impact 
assessments carried out by various agencies. This database will provide 
a more comprehensive picture of the needs of the affected communities.

8.An NDMO officer is managing the airport reception centre to receive, 
register and guide incoming relief teams. 70% of relief cargo received 
at Honiara Airport has been distributed to the affected areas.

9.The second logistics meeting held on 12 April discussed the proposal 
by UNDAC and the NDMO secretariat to establish a Logistics Group to 
oversee and manage the logistics chain to ensure a more efficient flow 
of relief, including the prioritisation of needs. Furthermore, a 
tracking matrix adopted by NDMO has been useful in monitoring the 
personnel, goods and services coming in and out of Honiara.

10.A Psychosocial Meeting was held on 12 April with representatives from 
WHO, UNICEF, Save the Children (SCF), the Ministry of Women and Social 
Welfare, UNIFEM, NZAID and UNDAC in attendance. The group discussed 
implementation of psychosocial support projects in the affected areas.

III. IN-COUNTRY INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

11.Coordination: The NDMO and UNDAC Team are developing an exit strategy 
for the UNDAC Team, which is due to depart from the Solomon Islands on 
19 April. The UNDAC field team in Gizo will return to Honiara on 16 
April. The exit strategy will be available on the Virtual OSOCC from 13 
April.

12.Richard Dictus, the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), Fred Fakarii (NDC 
Chairman) and Loti Yates (Director NDMO) met with Honiara-based donors 
on 12 April. The next donor meeting will be held on 13 April and will be 
chaired by Fred Fakarii (NDC Chairman).

13.Logistics and distribution: World Vision distributed assorted NFIs 
(family kits, bucket, tarps, blanket and tools, water containers and 
hurricane lamps) for 800 people in the Simbo Island. UNICEF has donated 
300 wind up radios and 200 tents to other areas. Additional large family 
tents have been ordered.

14.Health: UNICEF and WHO are supporting the Ministry of Health in 
preparing the measles vaccination campaign in the tsunami-affected 
areas. 30 graduate nurses, to be deployed between 16-18 April, will 
vaccinate children aged 6 months to 14 years and distribute Vitamin A 
supplements. The nurses will also be equipped with first aid kits and 
other medicines to respond to other health needs.

15.Water and sanitation: Oxfam and SCF are carrying out distribution of 
drinking water in the IDP camps. World Vision is carrying out water and 
sanitation activities in Ranongga, Simbo and Gizo. UNICEF donated 1,000 
ORS sachets and 6,000 bars of soap. UNICEF and other agencies are 
preparing a community mobilization campaign on water and sanitation 
issues.

IV. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

16.RAMSI will phase out helicopter support between 12-14 April. The US 
military has will provide air transportation to the tsunami-affected 
areas through its two helicopters.

17.The Australian Defense Forces (ADF) set up a medical centre in 
Sassamunga. The ADF medical team is now outreaching communities camping 
in the high ground, who do not yet wish to return to their home village. 
An ADF environmental assessment is following up on the issue of medical 
waste contaminating the local water source.

18.The GoSI received 48,000 mosquito nets from the Global Fund.

V. TRANSITION TO RECOVERY

19.In Gizo, a recovery meeting was held on 12 April. The participants 
agreed that the recovery efforts should focus on quick-impact activities 
in livelihoods, shelter, governance, environment and psychosocial 
assistance with the objective of enabling the communities to quickly 
recover and allowing the Provincial Government to resume service 
delivery. The Provincial Government requested agencies to conduct 
recovery activities through, and in formal agreement with, its 
structures. The Provincial Government will chair the subsequent recovery 
meetings.

Note: (1) The population of Solomon Islands in 2006 was approx. 550,000.

This situation report, together with further information on ongoing 
emergencies, is also available on the OSOCC Internet Website 
http://www.unocha.org/vosocc and on the OCHA Internet Website 
http://www.reliefweb.int/.

UNDAC Team Contact Details:

UNDAC Team leader
Location: National Disaster Management Office, Honiara
Office +677 27 837, +677 27 051
Mobile +677 88716, +677 88718
e-mail: undacsi@gmail.com

UNDAC Field Team, Gizo
Location: Provincial Administrators Office for NDMO,
Mobile +677 88 697, +677 88 696
Satellite +870 764 130894
e-mail: undacgizo@gmail.com

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok)

Mr. Rajan Gengaje, Regional Disaster Response Adviser
Tel.  + 66-2288-2572
Fax:  +66-2288-1043
Mob. + 66-8-1916-1271
e-mail: gengaje@un.org

Desk Officers:

NYC - Mr. Wojtek Wilk (desk officer for SI earthquake and tsunami)
   Tel. +1-917 367 9748
   e-mail: wilkw@un.org

GVA - Mr. Erik Kastlander
   Tel. +41-22-917 1587

Press contact:
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917 367 5126
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41-22-917 2653

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