MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia is providing additional assistance to Solomon Islands to support critical sanitation needs, deliver further medical relief and rebuild health infrastructure following last week's earthquake and tsunami. This brings Australia's immediate humanitarian assistance to around $3 million.
Six Australian medical teams are now working in all disaster affected areas of the Solomon Islands, including the most remote villages and islands.
An Australian primary healthcare team is treating patients in Sasamungga. A second Australian team was dispatched yesterday to provide critical medical assistance to the islands of Ranongga and Vella Lavella. This followed advice from a joint AusAID and Solomon Islands Government health assessment mission to identify areas of urgent need.
One of the most pressing medical concerns is diarrhoea and the threat of dysentery. Australian doctors are distributing oral rehydration kits and antibiotics to treat patients and water purification tablets and sanitation advice to prevent further outbreaks of disease.
Australia will boost efforts to address ongoing sanitation concerns and will work with the Solomon Islands Government to rebuild health infrastructure.
RAMSI continues to provide valuable assistance, including transport, logistics, assessment and relief support, especially through the Solomon Islands Police Force.
A third C130 aircraft will depart Brisbane for Solomon Islands tomorrow morning (Wednesday) carrying additional relief supplies including sleeping bags, tents, lights, heaters, clean water, cooking aids and tools.
The official number of dead, quoted by the Solomon Islands National Disaster Council, is 39. Several dozen remain missing and 7,000 are thought to be displaced, although some are now able to return to their homes.
Media contacts:
Tony Parkinson (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590