MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Victims of Cyclone Zoe in the
Solomon Islands will receive further food aid and supplies from Australia, the
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus, announced today.
'Australia will contribute 70
tonnes of rice, fuel for outboard motors and wire mesh to secure home roofing
before the next cyclone season,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Australia has sent a food security
expert to assess food and crop security and will be delivering supplies in the
next few days.
'Cyclones last December and
again in June,devastated
Tikopia and Anuta and destroyed houses, churches, schools and health clinics,
removing topsoil, vegetation and food crops and damaging water supplies,' Mrs
Gallus said.
'The Regional Assistance Mission to
Solomon Islands is providing ongoing assistance and working with the Solomon
Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to deliver the supplies.
'We continue to work closely with the
NDMO to strengthen their ability to respond to such disasters.
'This assistance, worth $63,000, takes
Australian support for victims in Tikopia and Anuta to more than $300,000,' Mrs
Gallus said.
Media contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus) 02
6277 4840 / 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804
489
Editor's Note: A high-resolution colour photo of
supplies being loaded is available for use with this story at
www.ausaid.gov.au/media/gallery/solomons.cfm