Don McKinnon Calls For Tsunami Assistance

3 April 2007

Commonwealth Secretary-General distressed by Solomon Islands Tsunami, calls for assistance

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has expressed deep distress and sorrow over the Tsunami that hit Solomon Islands, leaving a trail of devastation.

In a statement issued 2 April 2007, Mr McKinnon said: "My heart goes out to the bereaved and injured."

"The Commonwealth stands in solidarity with the people of Solomon Islands at this most trying time, and pledges its support to the Government as it seeks to recover from this calamity," the Secretary-General said.

Mr McKinnon added that natural disasters and the devastation they cause, particularly to our small member states have always been a major concern of the Commonwealth.

Mr McKinnon urged members of the Commonwealth family and other international organisations to come to the aid of Solomon Islands at this difficult time.

Note to Editors

Solomon Islands has a population of about 500,000 people and is one of the Commonwealth's small island states.

Thirty-two of the Commonwealth's 53 member countries are small states - mostly with populations of less than 1.5 million. The Secretariat attaches high priority to supporting their integration in the global economy and building their resilience in the face of natural disasters like the tsunami.

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