Hope amid the aftermath in the Solomons

As aid is steadily reaching those who need it in the Solomons Islands, World Vision New Zealand staff are reporting stories of encouragement.

Lisa Cescon, World Vision New Zealand CEO, said the situation on the ground is tough but there are glimmers of hope.

"Our staff have heard of a boy buried alive by a mudslide following the tsunami. All you could see was his foot poking out of the mud but, amazingly, when they managed to pull him out, he was still alive," says Miss Cescon.

"Good-news stories like that keep people going; realising there is hope amid all of this."

And hope is certainly needed following last Monday's tsunami, which killed nearly 40 people and left thousands homeless. The shock of the disaster has literally stunned people, says Miss Cescon.

"In some of the villages we're working to help, there is absolutely nothing left – everything has been washed away."

In response to the disaster, World Vision has built pit latrines and focused on health and sanitation for about 2,500 people left homeless and now living in temporary camps.

"Sanitation plays a huge part in any emergency response," says Miss Cescon.

"We're talking about thousands of people living almost on top of each other in makeshift camps with no immediate facilities at their disposal. It's vital that we work quickly in these situations to prevent diseases, such as life-threatening diarrhoea, from spreading."

World Vision is aiming to distribute emergency kits, which include items such as soap, basic cooking utensils and buckets, to about 3,500 people this week as the Solomons Island Government takes over the distribution of food.

Miss Cescon says World Vision is also looking to purchase supplies locally; an important way of supporting the local economy and getting local people involved in the rehabilitation of their own communities.

"World Vision is the largest NGO working in the Solomon Islands, and we have well-established, valuable relationships with local communities already in place. This means our response is based on needs communicated to us directly by those most affected."

ENDS

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