MEDIA RELEASE

3 April 2007

Solomon Islands: New Zealand Red Cross’ earthquake and tsunami response

As a result of the international Red Cross response to the earthquake and subsequent localised tsunami which hit the Solomon Islands yesterday, New Zealand Red Cross employee Douglas Clark was deployed to Honiara last night to assist with disaster assessment. Mr Clark is New Zealand Red Cross’ most experienced Pacific disaster management aid worker and is currently seconded to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s Disaster Management Unit in Kuala Lumpur.

New Zealand Red Cross has placed a number of New Zealand based disaster management trained staff on standby to assist Solomon Islands Red Cross if required.

New Zealand Red Cross has also pledged $10,000 to Solomon Islands Red Cross to assist with disaster relief. Solomon Islands Red Cross workers based in Gizo have been able to relay vital assessment information using a satellite phone network donated to them last year by New Zealand Red Cross.

100 family kits (boxed self-contained kitchen sets), 50 hurricane lamps and a supply of water containers have been dispatched from New Zealand Red Cross’ disaster relief supplies. They will be used to support 500 families displaced in the township of Gizo and will supplement Solomon Islands Red Cross’ supplies.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent have allocated USD$53,000 for disaster relief in the Solomon Islands and is coordinating the response from its Suva office.

While many New Zealanders have already indicated they would like to donate to a specialised emergency appeal, New Zealand Red Cross has not launched a public appeal. People who wish to donate to New Zealand Red Cross international disaster relief activities can call 0900 RED CROSS (73327) or on-line at www.redcross.org.nz.

ENDS

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