Red Cross response to Solomon Islands tsunami underway
Almost four days after a tsunami struck the Solomon Islands’ Western Provinces, the country’s Red Cross society continues to provide assistance to people affected by the disaster. Emergency funds and disaster management support have also been mobilized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Canadian Red Cross has contributed $100,000 from its International Disaster Relief Fund to address the humanitarian needs of survivors.
Latest assessments show that there is a heightened risk of diarrhea emerging in some of the camps, while there are also concerns that a shortage of safe drinking water could lead to an outbreak of other waterborne illnesses.
Volunteers from the Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) are involved in carrying out assessments in remote areas, even by canoe if necessary, while the National Society is also distributing relief items, including sheets and tarpaulins, to affected people. According to the SIRC, water containers and purification systems, as well as medical supplies and cooking sets are still needed.
The IFRC says recent evaluations show that at least 15,000 people have been affected by the tsunami, which was triggered by an undersea earthquake and aftershocks in the South Pacific on April 2. However, reliable information on the scale of the damage is still not available for all areas, due to the remote and scattered nature of the islands and a lack of communications.
“They’re still feeling aftershocks and a lot of people refuse to go home because they’re too scared, which makes it hard to get an precise count of who’s missing or homeless,” said Douglas Clark, a disaster management delegate for the IFRC, who is in the Solomon Islands. “It could take several more days before we have a truly clear picture of the situation,” he added.
In addition, the IFRC has mobilized a rapid intervention team made up of 10 specialists, with the support of the Red Cross Societies of Australia, France, New Zealand and Tonga, to provide disaster management assistance to the SIRC. Several National Societies from the region, and around the world, have also pledged financial and material support to help with the operation.
“This is a testing time for our staff and volunteers,” said Charles Kelly, the secretary general of the SIRC. “They are doing very well on the front line of this disaster, and we thank our sister National Societies in the Pacific, and around the globe, for their support.”
The IFRC is now requesting $1-million to ensure affected communities have immediate access to safe drinking water, medical care and emergency shelter, as well as to meet the long-term needs of survivors through psychosocial support, clean water wells, hygiene promotion, and safer housing materials.
Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations to its International Disaster Relief Fund. This fund helps accelerate our response to disasters. When a crisis occurs, funds can be accessed within 24 hours and help can be sent quickly to those who need it the most. Canadians wishing to donate to the IDRF can donate immediately online or call 1-800-418-1111.
Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
Red Cross assists earthquake and tsunami survivors in Solomon Islands
