PM’s directive for urgent reassessment endorsed

03/04/07

PRESS RELEASE

Disaster Management Council endorses PM’s directive for urgent reassessment

The National Disaster Management Council this morning agreed to endorse a directive by the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare for the immediate deployment of a reassessment team to the Tsunami stricken areas of the Western and Choiseul Provinces.

The National Disaster Management Office Media Liaison Officer, Julian Makaa told the meeting that 5, 409 people were estimated to be affected by the tsunami that struck parts of the two provinces yesterday.

Mr Makaa said the latest death toll stands at 13 whilst the number of missing and injured persons has risen to seven and 19 respectively and added that 916 houses had so far been reported destroyed.

He said the 13 dead were confirmed to be all Solomon Islanders and added that his office was expecting more increases in the all the figures released.

The Chair to the Council, Fred Fakarii meanwhile told the meeting that the council would be dispatching a second assessment team as soon as possible as directed by the Prime Minister to ascertain the full extent of damages so as to determine the level of assistance needed.

He said an assessment team dispatched yesterday only carried out an aerial survey of the disaster affected areas and it reported that destruction was massive and widespread.

Mr Fakarii said the second assessment team to be deployed on the ground in the tsunami destroyed regions would include agriculturalists and health and infrastructure specialists.

The Chairman said the government would await the report by reassessment team before deciding on the declaration of the tsunami-stricken regions into a state of emergency.

He said the Australian and New Zealand government aid agencies, AUSAid and NZ Aid and other international donors were ready to help upon the submission of an official assistance request.

ENDS

© Scoop Media