UN Sends Aid, Experts To Solomon Islands In Response To Pacific Tsunami
The United Nations Children's Fund has pre-positioned emergency medical supplies to help thousands of people in the
Solomon Islands while experts from the world body are poised to travel to the region in response to an earthquake and
resulting tsunami which shook the region earlier today.
An earthquake measuring 8.1 struck 345 kilometres northwest of the Solomon Islands' capital, Honiara, causing a tsunami,
according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which cited reports of damage in the
Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Media reports put the number of deaths in the Solomon Islands at eight, though numbers are expected to increase. Some
reports are claiming that villages have been "completely wiped out," OCHA said in its first situation report on the
emergency.
UNICEF has pre-positioned emergency medical supplies in the Solomon Islands for up to 10,000 people including 10
emergency kits, 5 'school in a box' kits and 3 recreation kits. The UNICEF Pacific Emergency Focal Point -- a member of
the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team -- will travel to the Islands tomorrow.
The Government of the Solomon Islands is expected to make a request for international assistance, OCHA said.
ENDS