Solomon Islands

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MEDIA RELEASE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ALEXANDER DOWNER

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AA 03 001 05 Jan 2003
Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands

Advice today from Australian officials on the island of Tikopia that there have been no deaths and no serious injuries is good news.


This first official assessment accords with our early surveillance flight reports.

The Solomon Islands police patrol vessel, Auki, berthed on schedule at 05.00 today bringing meaningful relief supplies, Solomon Islands police and medical assessment teams and an Australia aid program official.

The medical team is treating minor injuries and the team reports that the health clinic is still standing, has been made operational and medical supplies have been replenished.

I particularly welcome the advice from, Dr Oberli, of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health, that there is no danger to public health.

The Auki is scheduled to sail on to the island of Anuta this evening. A second vessel, the MV Isabela, carrying substantial supplies of food, water and other relief materials, is due to reach Tikopia from Honiara early tomorrow.

I congratulate the Solomon Islands government on mounting a successful damage assessment mission and follow-up emergency supplies shipment to these remote locations.

As we move from the relief to the recovery stage, Australia will continue to work with the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO). Australia is in for the long haul.

I confirm an additional $50,000 has been provided for fuel and logistic support to the NDMO. This brings Australia's immediate relief assistance to more than $120,000, together with the cost of the RAAF aerial surveillance mission.

Contact:

Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
Alan March (AusAID) 0418 200 246

[aussie]

MEDIA RELEASE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ALEXANDER DOWNER

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AA 03 002 07 Jan 2003
Update On Solomon Islands

I am pleased to confirm that Cyclone Zoe caused no deaths or serious injury among the population of the island of Anuta in the Solomon Islands.

The news was reported by Australian officials aboard the Solomon Islands police patrol vessel, Auki, which berthed at Anuta early today.

The assessment team found that damage to structures and crops on Anuta was significantly less than on Tikopia. There are sufficient food supplies for two or three months. The island's water supply was not affected.

The Auki team reported that it had set up and stocked a health clinic in the island's school, which was not damaged.

As well, Solomon Islands police installed Australian-supplied VHF radio equipment in the school building, restoring communications that had been out since a breakdown in November.

The Auki is scheduled to depart Anuta at midnight to assess conditions on other islands in the area.

The Hamakyo Maru, funded by Australia, is expected to depart the capital, Honiara, bound for Tipokia and Anuta, later today. In addition to further relief supplies for the islanders, the Hamakyo Maru will bring fuel for the MV Isabela, currently at Tikopia, and the Auki.

Contact:
Andrew Park (Mr Downer's office) (02) 6277 7500
Jo Elsom (AusAID) (02) 6206 4960