Quake sparks crisis in Solomons

Aid workers have warned of a humanitarian crisis in the Solomon Islands after an earthquake and tsunami killed at least 28 people.

Food and medicine are in short supply for the thousands of survivors now left homeless.

Television footage showed their homes and businesses damaged and submerged.

Aid is beginning to trickle into the western Solomons provinces hardest hit by the twin catastrophe.

Australia's Council for International Development said first reports from aid teams in the impoverished region were alarming.

Australian aid agency Caritas said infection will set in quickly among those injured, while drinking water supplies posed an immediate problem.

The quake struck 220 miles northwest of the capital Honiara and sparked a tsunami alert around the Pacific.

Government and Red Cross disaster teams are taking tents and supplies to the affected area.

Australia has offered £800,000 in aid, while New Zealand offered £180,000 and sent an airforce plane loaded with supplies, including water containers, blankets, tarpaulins, food and lamps.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

Share this article

Send this article to a friend »

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

What are these?