A major earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale struck 345km northwest of the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara on Monday 2 April 2007.
Taking place 40km south southeast of Gizo at a depth of 10km, the earthquake prompted a tsunami, believed to be between two and 10 metres high.
The tsunami struck the Western Solomon Islands, including Choiseul, Gizo, Kolombangara, Munda, Noro, Ranongga, Simbo, Shortland, and Vella La Vella.
The Government of the Solomon Islands have confirmed that 52 people have died and up to 7,000 are homeless.
Australian Government assistance
Australia, through its international aid agency, AusAID, has allocated $3 million for emergency relief and reconstruction assistance to Solomon Islands.
Six Australian medical teams attended to disaster victims in the affected areas of the Solomon Islands, including the most remote villages and islands.
One of the most pressing medical concerns is diarrhoea and the threat of dysentery.
To address this, Australia has:
- Distributed oral rehydration kits and antibiotics to treat patients
- Provided over 50,000 water purification tablets and sanitation advice to prevent further outbreaks of disease
- Sent an Australian mobile environmental health team to focus on disease prevention, including sanitation.
An additional medical and health infrastructure team comprising AusAID and Solomon Islands Government officials travelled to the affected areas on an Australian chartered helicopter to determine clinical requirements and assess the state of health infrastructure.
Australia also sent an AusAID disaster management specialist to help coordinate the relief effort.
Australia has supplied relief items including:
- Clean water
- Tarpaulins
- Nylon ropes
- Blankets
- Treated mosquito nets
- Water purification tablets
- Emergency medical field packs to support local hospitals.
Australia also provided over half a million dollars to non-government organisations based in Solomon Islands - to feed, house and improve water supplies to affected communities.
The organisations include:
- Australian Red Cross
- Caritas
- Oxfam
- World Vision.
In addition to Australian bilateral assistance, resources from the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which is strongly supported by Australia, have been assisting the Solomon Islands Government response. A RAMSI aircraft evacuated a number of injured people to Honiara for treatment. RAMSI has also transported and distributed relief items to affected areas and helped with damage assessment activities.
Rebuilding and recovery
Australia stands ready to offer further assistance and continues to closely monitor the situation.
How you can help
For more information on how you can help see Australian Council for International Development.
Photo gallery
For images of Australia's response to the Solomon Islands Tsunami see our Photogallery.
Media releases
- Australia Provides More Support to Solomon Islands [Apr 10, 2007]
- Australian Relief Distribution in Full Swing in Solomon Islands [Apr 6, 2007]
- Australian Medics and Relief Supplies for Solomon Islands [Apr 4, 2007]
- Australia Ramps-Up Response in Solomon Islands [Apr 3, 2007]
- Australia Assists Solomon Islands in Response to Earthquake-Tsunami [Apr 2, 2007]
Related links
- Government of Solomon Islands
- ReliefWeb
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
April 2007