OCHA Situation Report No. 1
South Pacific: Tsunami
2 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 Oxfam in the Solomon Islands, the 
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP BCPR, UNICEF, OCHA Offices in 
Fiji and Papua New Guinea and media sources.

I. SITUATION

1. An earthquake measuring 8.1 struck 345km northwest of the Solomon 
Islands' capital Honiara at 0740 local time Monday (2040 GMT Sunday). 
The earthquake caused a tsunami and there have been reports of damage in 
the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The Pacific Tsunami Warning 
Centre issued a tsunami warning alerting authorities in the Solomon 
Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, northeastern 
Australia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji.

2. Media reports put the number of deaths in the Solomon Islands at 
eight, though numbers are expected to increase. Some reports are 
claiming that villages have been "completely wiped out".

3. Oxfam reports that more than 500 houses were damaged in Gizo town 
(45km from the quake's epicentre) and surrounding villages. There are 
reports that Gizo hospital, Gizo church and Gizo hotel have suffered 
damage. Despite a power outage in Gizo town, communication links are 
functioning.

4. Sasamunga Hospital in Choiseul was partly flooded. Oxfam concludes 
that it is likely that large parts of South West Choiseul have been 
affected. 15 houses were reportedly swept away in Simbo.

5. There are reports of damage to property in Papua New Guinea, but 
currently no reported fatalities or injuries. A series of tsunamis hit 
Rossel Island (Milne Bay Province), where two-metre waves swept away 
seven houses. Damage was also reported at Kang Wharf in South 
Bougainville. There was panic at population centres including Madang, Le 
and Vanimo. Initial reports that Mount Bagana was displaying increased 
signs of activity following the earthquake are now confirmed to have 
been false.

II. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE? SOLOMON ISLANDS

6. The Provincial Disaster Office in Choisel Province evacuated people 
from coastal areas when the tsunami warning was issued.

7. UNICEF reports that the UN office in the Solomon Islands' capital 
Honiara has been evacuated except for essential staff.

8. The Natural Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in Western and Choiseul 
Provinces organized an assessment mission on 2 April. The assessment 
team included representatives of the NDMO, Government ministries, the 
police department, the Red Cross, NZ Aid and UNDP. Findings are expected 
to be made available by the end of the day (2 April).

9. UNICEF has pre-positioned emergency medical supplies in the Solomon 
Islands for up to 10,000 people including 10 emergency kits, 5 'school 
in a box' kits and 3 recreation kits. The UNICEF Pacific Emergency Focal 
Point (an UNDAC member) will travel to the Islands on 3 April.

10. The Red Cross will carry out an initial distribution of First Aid 
kits in Gizo town and has dispatched a boat containing tents.

11. OCHA has verbally offered assistance to the Government of the 
Solomon Islands through the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.

12. An UNDAC Alert Message was issued on 2 April and a team is ready to 
deploy upon the request of the Government of the Solomon Islands.

III. ASSISTANCE NEEDS

13. Oxfam reports that immediate needs include food, water and shelter.

14. The Government of the Solomon Islands is expected to make a request 
for international assistance. The results of the NDMO assessment are 
expected to clarify needs.

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

Tel.:  +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel.   +41-22-917 20 10

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok)
  Fax:  +66 2288 1043

Mr. Markus Werne
  Deputy Head of Office
  Tel. + 66 2288 2558
  Mob. + 66 1917 8940

Ms. Amanda Pitt
  Regional Public Information and Advocacy Officer
  Tel. + 66 2288 1195
  Mob. + 66 1374 1035

Desk Officers:
  NYC - Mr. Gregoire de Brancovan Tel. +1 212 963 2629
  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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