The distribution of Australian relief is well underway following the arrival of the first C130 aircraft at Munda airport in Solomon Islands late yesterday.
Items transported by the aircraft will supplement relief items which were made available immediately following Monday’s earthquake-tsunami from Australian stores located in Solomon Islands.
Australia is working with local networks to distribute relief items to isolated areas of the Western Province affected by the disaster. Medical supplies are targeted to reach Munda, Gizo and Taro Hospitals where needs are critical.
AusAID medical teams have also arrived to supplement Australian medics already working on the ground. A further six Australian medics will arrive today.
Two Australian Defence Force primary healthcare teams will also depart Australia today, including additional personnel to staff hospital wards. They will be accompanied by a mobile environmental health team focused on disease prevention, including sanitation. AusAID is sending further supplies of treated mosquito nets and clean water.
An additional medical and health infrastructure team comprising AusAID and Solomon Island Government officials have been deployed on an Australian chartered helicopter to determine clinical requirements and assess the state of health infrastructure, including Gizo hospital.
The Solomon Islands Government’s National Disaster Management Office has invited AusAID to join its team to assist with coordination of the relief effort.
Latest advice from the Solomon Islands Government is that 34 people are confirmed dead, several dozen are still missing and 5,500 are thought to be displaced. It is estimated that between 900 and 2,500 homes have been destroyed.
The Government of Solomon Islands is coordinating international offers of assistance through its National Disaster Management Office Call Centre on telephone + 677 27937.