NEWS RELEASE

3 February 2009

New Zealand Red Cross Trainers Turn Disaster Responders In Solomon Islands Floods

As parts of the Solomon Islands reel from the weekend’s heavy rain, four New Zealand Red Cross IT and Telecommunications Emergency Response Unit (ERU) members who have been in the Islands since Sunday conducting training with their Solomon Island Red Cross colleagues, are now working in a real disaster.

Recent heavy rain in the Solomon Islands has caused extensive flooding. The number confirmed dead remains at eight with at least another eight missing. Initial assessments suggest that between 3,000-5,000 people directly affected, with many people being evacuated to higher ground.

The four New Zealand Red Cross ERU members are now helping Solomon Island Red Cross with needs assessments and providing immediate response for people affected by the flooding.

ENDS