Access to clean water and sanitation remains critical amidst fears of further landslides following the three powerful undersea earthquakes that affected Rendova and Tetepare Islands in the Western province of the Solomon Islands on Monday and Tuesday.

According to preliminary assessments conducted earlier this week in six villages on Rendova Island by members of a World Vision rapid assessment team in conjunction with the Government of the Solomon Islands and other agencies, there were no reports of casualties. However, about 200 houses have been damaged or destroyed and more than 1400 people affected.

“Severe landslides on Rendova Island have affected clean water sources and ruined food gardens, and there are fears of further landslides because of ongoing aftershocks,” said Curt von Boguslawski, National Director for World Vision’s Pacific Development Group.

Mr von Boguslawski said the Government of the Solomon Islands is currently responding to the most urgent need for food, water, shelter and other emergency supplies in the affected areas, and World Vision is on standby to respond should further assistance be required.

“World Vision has a container with pre-positioned emergency supplies in the capital city of Honiara that can be airlifted to affected communities if needed. The supplies include tarpaulins, blankets, water containers, hygiene supplies, baby kits, emergency kits, kitchens sets and mosquito nets,” said Mr von Boguslawski.

The three undersea earthquakes that affected Rendova and Tetepare Islands measured 6.5, 7.2 and 5.1 on the Richter scale, respectively.

In April 2007 an undersea earthquake caused a tsunami that struck the Western and Choiseul provinces of the Solomon Islands. World Vision responded with immediate supplies and a shelter recovery programme to help about 5000 vulnerable families, in addition to working with communities on disaster-preparedness activities. The shelter recovery programme is funded by NZAID and matched by World Vision New Zealand.

World Vision has worked in the Solomon Islands since 1979 and currently runs programmes in six different locations throughout the Solomon Islands, including the affected Western Province. World Vision works in health, education and humanitarian and emergency affairs, specifically in shelter rehabilitation on the islands which were again struck by the recent earthquakes.

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