On April 2, 2007 an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of the Solomon Islands . It was followed by three successive earthquakes that triggered a tsunami. Waves in excess of 10m struck the shores of the Western Provinces in the Solomon Islands . Initial assessments revealed that up to 50,000 people are affected, with more than 7,000 displaced from their homes. The death toll sits at 38 and is expected to rise.
Aftershocks still rattle the region. The villagers have abandoned their sea side communities and are living in makeshift camps in the hills. The camps lack proper sanitation facilities and access to clean drinking water. The threat of an outbreak of water borne diseases is imminent. The area is remote and difficult to access.
Partnerships:
Global Medic entered into a partnership agreement with two other International NGOs: Save the Children Australia (SCA) and Muslim Aid (MA). Save the Children facilitated team entry, provided logistical support, access to isolated regions and access to military and police assets including helicopters and boats. SCA agreed to have their staff trained on water purification and take over water distribution operations. Muslim Aid agreed to help fund part of the Global Medic deployment and sent 2 members from the Indonesia program. MA also assisted with logistical support and donated relief items. Global Medic agreed to donate water purification equipment, deployed its Rapid Response Team to the region, established water purification points, trained SCA and MA staff in operations, and handed over control of the assets and program to SCA staff.
Response:
A three member Rapid Response Team arrived in the region carrying 10 portable water purification systems; 550,000 water purification tablets; and emergency medical gear. The Team was comprised of 3 Paramedics from Canada . Two Muslim Aid field staff from Indonesia joined the team in Brisbane . In-country coordination was arranged by Save the Children. All three agencies provided varying degrees of logistical support.
The team accomplished the following tasks:
• Set up a water purification system in Munda Hospital
- Hospital was damaged during the quake and evacuated
- Patients transferred to a makeshift facility in the local high school
- Distributed 100,000 water purification tablets
• Set up a water purification system in Ghizo Hospital
- Hospital was damaged during the quake and evacuated
- Patients transferred to a makeshift camp facility
- Distributed 100,000 water purification tablets
• Set up a central purification and distribution point in Ghizo to provide potable water to several camps
in and around Ghizo island
- Total number displaced is 1900
- Distributed 100,000 water purification tablets
• Set up a water purification system in Munda (SI Red Cross)
- To provide water for 2 villages in Rendova and the local area servicing over 600 people
- Distributed 20,000 water purification tablets
• Set up a mobile system in Munda
- To provide water for 4 camps servicing over 800 beneficiaries
- Distributed 80,000 water purification tablets
• Set up a water purification system in Pienun, Renonga Island
- Devastated village servicing over 700 villagers
- Distributed 50,000 water purification tablets
• Set up a water purification system in Shambora, Vella la Vella Island
- Devastated village with over 800 beneficiaries
- Distributed 50,000 water purification tablets
• Donated 100,000 water purification tablets to the Ministry of Health to be added to jerry cans being distributed
in the affected area and chlorine to treat town water
• Donated 38,400 sachets of ORS to SCA for distribution
• Donated 1.4 million water purification tablets to SCA
- To be shared by agencies ie UNICEF, Red Cross, MOH
Summary:
• Donated 1.95 million water purification tablets to purify 1.95 million litres
• Donated 21 portable water purification systems
• Donated 19,200 sachets of ORS
• Provided clean drinking water to over 4000 affected civilians daily
