Emergency Solomon Islands Flood Appeal Launched

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NEWS RELEASE

8 May 2014

Red Cross Launches Emergency Appeal for Those Affected by Solomon Islands Floods

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for 1.3 million Swiss Francs (NZD $1.7m) to help the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society continue to deliver emergency humanitarian assistance to more than 20,000 people.

It is a month since the worst floods in the Pacific nation’s history killed 22 people, destroyed homes and properties and severely disrupted the lives of more than 50,000 people - 10 percent of the country’s population - in the capital Honiara and surrounding plains in Guadalcanal Province.

“One month on, the needs are still great - more than 4,000 people remain in emergency shelters in Honiara and thousands of families face months of recovery ahead to try to return to their normal lives,” says Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Secretary General Joanne Zoleveke.

“More emergency support is still very much needed to provide basic relief supplies, such as clean water, sanitation and emergency shelter, but we’re also looking at how to help people for the longer term to rebuild their homes and lives,” she says.

New Zealand Red Cross has supported the flood response with five aid workers, two of whom are still in the Solomons. Janna Hamilton is helping with communications needs and Ana Zarkovic with water and sanitation. Both are from Auckland.

New Zealand Red Cross also made an initial contribution of $10,000 to kick start the flood response, and with the help of the New Zealand Government sent 140 shelter kits, 420 tarpaulins, a tap stand and bladder, 250 kitchen sets, and 1000 x 10-litre water containers. @NZRedCross facebook.com/newzealandredcross

Solomon Islands Red Cross now has a 90-strong team of volunteers, as well as local and international emergency staff working around the clock. Water and sanitation teams have so far purified and delivered more than 1 million litres of clean water to evacuation centres in Honiara and the rural communities in Guadalcanal Plains. Red Cross has also designed and contributed materials for the construction of 80 latrines in the evacuation centres, and continues to build hand-washing stands and spread messages on the importance of good hygiene practices to prevent waterborne diseases.

Teams have so far delivered essential non-food items to more than 5,000 people in Honiara and Guadalcanal Plains, including tarpaulins and tools, jerry cans, kitchen equipment, hygiene materials, bedding and mosquito nets.

The IFRC Emergency Appeal will enable Solomon Islands Red Cross Society to deliver humanitarian assistance to 21,000 people over the next nine months, including safe drinking water and sanitation, shelter kits, essential supplies and hygiene kits, as well as carrying out disease prevention and health promotion.

To Donate:

https://www.redcross.org.nz/donate/pacific-disaster-fund/

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