OCHA Situation Report No. 7
South Pacific: Tsunami
9 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) in 
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.

I. SITUATION

1. An earthquake measuring 8.1 struck 345 km 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.

2. The Government of the Solomon Islands (GoSI) updated casualty 
figures, which now stand at 35. GoSI figures for the displaced in the 
worst affected areas remain at around 5,500 people. An estimated 1,500 
currently located in twelve spontaneous camps near the urban centre of 
Gizo.

3. Streams and rainwater catchments are main sources of water for the 
displaced communities. New water tanks have been established in Gizo 
town, as many tanks and pipes were damaged by the earthquake. Sanitation 
remains a problem in the spontaneous camps near Gizo.

4. Shops in Gizo reportedly retain stocks of food, but many are yet not 
open for business. The shops and markets are expected to open in the 
next couple of days, which is expected to improve food supply. Water and 
sanitation, effective food supply chain and disease surveillance remain 
a considerable challenge.

5. The GoSI reports that sufficient medical staff and supplies are now 
available within the Solomon Islands to meet current needs. Staff 
rotation from non-impacted areas will be required as many health care 
personnel have themselves been affected by the disaster.

6. As the disaster-affected communities begin to return from higher 
ground, the number of injured presenting to medical facilities may 
slightly increase. The hospital at Gizo was badly damaged by the 
earthquake but has now been assessed by an engineer and is considered 
stable.

II. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

7. The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is closely 
collaborating with UNDAC in strengthening coordination and information 
management. The NDMO completed its first situation report on 07 April 
and shared at the Cabinet meeting on 8 April in the afternoon.

8. Richard Dictus, the UN Resident Coordinator based in Fiji, arrived in 
Honiara and met with the UN Agencies and the Director of the NDMO. The 
next general coordination meeting is planned for Monday 09 April.

9. Activities in the health sector have been a main focus of the relief 
activities. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has proactively dispatched an 
initial response team to the affected area on 02 April, and additional 
staff on 06 April. The MOH staff assessed levels of supplies, human 
resources and equipment needs in all clinics and key health centres; and 
is currently assessing disease trends.

10. Five medical teams have been deployed to provide support to the MoH, 
from the Red Cross, France, Taiwan, Canada and Australia. Replenishment 
of drugs and other medical supplies were air lifted to Gizo by a French 
military aircraft.

11. Four strategic health bases have been set up in Gizo, Munda, Taro 
and Sassamunga, with health coordinators and contacts established at 
bases in Gizo and Munda. Hospital stocks from other areas have been 
moved to these bases, and it is reported that Gizo has sufficient 
medical supplies, while Taro is still waiting for supplies expected to 
arrive shortly.

12. The basic health surveillance system is monitoring in particular 
evidence of diarrhoea-related illness, malaria and measles. A measles 
and vitamin A campaign will be set up next week.

13. The Solomon Islands Red Cross distributed three containers of family 
packs to all the affected areas. Three UNICEF Emergency Health Kits were 
distributed to Sasamunga, Nila and Vonunu on 07 April; another one is 
due to arrive on 08 April. MoH directed 48,000 treated bed nets to the 
affected areas. 360 electrolytes fluid packs were sent to Munda Health 
Center.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

14. UNDAC Honiara is compiling an overview of donor contributions to 
determine where additional funding or resources may be required. 
Collated needs and damage assessment data from the affected areas is 
also urgently awaited.

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

UNDAC Field Team, Gizo
Location: Provincial Administrators Office for NDMO,
Mobile  +677 88 697, +677 88 696
Satellite +870 764 130894

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok)

Ms. Amanda Pitt
  Regional Public Information and Advocacy Officer
  Tel. + 66 2288 1195
  Fax:  +66 2288 1043
  Mob. + 66 1374 1035
  e-mail: pitta@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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -