Disaster preparedness sees no lives lost

SOLOMON ISLANDS – Some 7000 people across three provinces are reported to have been affected by earthquakes in the Solomon Islands last week.

The latest update from disaster authorities in the country also indicate that around 200 buildings including 11 schools and a medical clinic have been destroyed or damaged in the Makira and Ulawa, Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces.

It is understood some of these houses were also hit by waves generated by the quakes.

The original 7.8 magnitude quake which struck near Makira in the country’s south on Friday was followed by a powerful 6.9 magnitude aftershock on Saturday morning.

There have been no deaths reported from the quake and the resulting tsunami in the Solomon Islands and in other nearby Pacific islands.

World Vision’s Pacific Timor-Leste spokeswoman Suzy Sainovski said it has been hard to get a full assessment from some more remote communities, some of which don’t have cellphone coverage.

World Vision in the Solomons said disaster preparedness was key in saving lives after the country was rattled by two powerful earthquakes.

Janes Jinting, the director of World Vision in Solomon Islands, said at least 100 houses have been destroyed or damaged, including some which were washed away by waves generated by the initial quake.

But he said he was certain disaster preparedness measures put in place by the Solomon Islands government and other partners had helped to save the lives of residents.

“We are very encouraged to see the communities actually applying what they are learning – so when there is an earthquake they move to higher ground,” Jinting told the ABC.

“In this case, it’s proven how effective it is to save lives.”

Aid agencies were travelling by boat to the hardest-hit areas.

Jinting said they would carry out assessments and offer emergency supplies to families affected by the disaster.

“Until the field assessment has been done, we will not get a full picture of the level of damage,” he said.

Jinting said some people were sleeping out in the open.

“It’s now the wet season in Solomon Islands so providing protection from the elements for children and families is a priority,” he said.

Tsunami warnings for several Pacific islands, including Hawai‘i, were canceled Friday after authorities determined the earthquake didn’t pose a broad tsunami threat.

The region was later hit by a 6.9 aftershock. - PNC sources