Shelter, Water Top Needs for Tsunami Survivors
Thousands of survivors from Monday's tsunami are searching for food and clean drinking water in devastated towns across Solomon Islands' west coast.
Officials say that the death toll has reached 28 and is expected to rise as workers reach more communities, according to The Associated Press. Moreover, the National Disaster Management Office spokesman Julian Makaa said an initial estimate indicates that 916 homes were destroyed and about 5,000 people were affected.
One of the greatest current needs is shelter and drinking water, reported relief groups. World Vision, which has worked in the area for 25 years, said it plans to help restore water and sanitation.
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"There is no food available" in the main settlements of Gizo and Noro, said Alfred Maesulia, a government spokesman in the capital, Honiara, to AP. "Some settlements have been completely wiped out by the waves."
A magnitude-8.1 quake struck 25 miles from the northwestern town of Gizo yesterday morning, creating walls of water up to 16 feet high. The tsunami resulted in the flooding of the town's local hospital and main airport, making it difficult to treat the wounded and bring in food and supplies.
Officials report that homeless victims lack even the basic supplies and they fear the situation will turn desperate soon.
However, Christian organizations such as World Vision and Catholic Relief Services have helped provide immediate aid to the victims.
"Disasters are … one of the best chances to show God's unconditional love, and World Vision is doing that around the world and certainly in the Solomon Islands," said Rachel Wolff, WV media relations manager for disaster response, international affairs advocacy and communications, to Mission Network News.
Catholic Relief Services, responding through its sister agencies – Caritas Australia and Caritas Solomon Islands – has made an initial commitment of $100,000 for emergency aid relief operation.
"We will provide our partners on the ground with whatever they need to respond to this tragedy," said CRS President Ken Hackett in a released statement.
Meanwhile, the Council for World Mission also reported that all its missionaries working in Solomons were unharmed.
The Solomon Islands is an impoverished archipelago of more than 200 islands with a population of about 552,000 people.
