Solomons PM’s directive for reassessment endorsed

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 the overall death toll from the tsunami has reached 13 whilst the number of injured and missing persons had risen to seven and 19 respectively.

He said an estimated 5,409 people altogether were affected by the disaster.

Mr Maka said the count of destroyed houses so far reached 916.

The Media Liaison Officer said the 13 dead were confirmed to be all Solomon Islanders and added that his office was expecting more increases in the death toll and the number of sufferers including the missing and the injured.

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.

“We agree to put into action the directive by the Prime Minister. The team must comprise agriculturalists and health and infrastructure specialists. The latest time the team would be dispatched is tomorrow morning.”

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 a state of emergency.

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

Meanwhile Prime Minister Sogavare has requested all assistances for the tsunami victims to be channeled through the National Disaster Management Office to ensure they were given to the needy people.

An emergency and logistic centre has been set up in Munda to assist the tsunami victims.

Patrol Boat Lata left Honiara yesterday with medical and food supplies and tents for the disaster affected people.

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Deli Oso Press Secretary to the Prime Minister

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