MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
A C130 aircraft will depart Sydney for Solomon Islands tomorrow morning (Thursday) carrying Australian relief supplies and an AusAID disaster management expert.
A team of four medics, including doctors and nurses, will also leave for affected areas tomorrow.
The plane will be carrying supplies including 500 tarpaulins, 900 water containers, 30 nylon ropes, 500 blankets, over 50,000 water purifying tablets and emergency medical field packs to support local hospitals.
The supplies will be flown to the Solomon Islands Western Province to contribute to the relief effort following the devastation caused by Monday's tsunami. Medical supplies will replenish stocks at the hospital in Honiara.
This follows the deployment on Tuesday of relief supplies pre-positioned in Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands Government has confirmed over 600 people in Gizo have been displaced, but warn this number may rise. Twenty-three people have been confirmed dead in Gizo and a further nine are confirmed as missing.
RAMSI aircraft have medi-vacced serious cases to Honiara. A number of local health facilities, including Gizo Hospital remain inoperable.
RAMSI and AusAID officials are working locally in support of the Solomon Islands Government effort to assess damage and advise on emergency and longer term responses.
Prime Minister Sogavare has welcomed Australia's initial commitment of $2 million. Australia and RAMSI are working closely with the Solomon Islands Government in the emergency response.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A media alert will be sent out later today/early tomorrow inviting
media to a picture opportunity at Richmond Airforce Base.
Media contacts:
Mr Downer's Office 02 6277 7500
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590