Contact: John Nduna, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, Director, +41 22 791 6033, + 41 79 203 6055 cell; Michelle Yonetani, ACT Program Officer, +41 22 791 6035, +41 79 285 2916 cell

GENEVA, Apr. 5 /Standard Newswire/ -- An earthquake registering a magnitude of 8.0 shook the western part of the Pacific Solomon Islands chain on Monday morning (2 April 2007). The first quake was immediately followed by two more with magnitudes of 6.7 and 6.4 at 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and 345 kilometers (215 miles) respectively, west northwest of the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal.

The earthquakes were followed by a tsunami, which destroyed 13 villages in the Solomon Island's Western Province. The waves varied in height between two and 10 meters in places, sweeping inland for almost half a kilometre, crashing into Gizo shops and homes, and destroying everything in its path as it knocked out power and communication lines. A state of emergency has been declared for the areas of the Western Province, Choiseul Province and North Isabel.

By 4 April the Solomon Islands' National Disaster Management Office had confirmed that 30 people had lost their lives, that 916 houses had been destroyed and that 5,500 people had been displaced across Western and Choiseul Provinces. Many people were still reported as missing, while seven were injured. The scope of the damage is severe, but because of the geographical nature of the islands (remote, far apart and with no proper communication systems) assessments are still sketchy.

Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) reports that an Emergency Operations Centre is in place in Gizo. Power and telephone services have been restored, but many shops are still closed. Earth tremors are still being felt in Gizo. Assessment teams are visiting affected communities in Titiana, Paelonge Simbo and Ranongga. The priority needs of the affected communities are food, shelter, water, clothing and utensils. New Zealand has delivered supplies of food, water containers, shelter, medical supplies and personnel, family kits and hurricane lamps.

The Church of the Melanesia (CoM) – the Anglican Church in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu - is responding to the tsunami. Although the church is not equipped with a major disaster response team, CoM staff are undertaking an assessment with the local Anglican Disaster Committee in places such as Munda and Gizo, to determine an appropriate response to the initial emergency and to assess needs related to rehabilitation and recovery efforts. CoM personnel have training and experience in areas that include trauma counseling and pastoral care, engaging with young people at risk, and community leadership development.

The CoM response may initially include food, water, and household items, before entering a phase of rehabilitation of homes, church buildings and other infrastructure.

Reuters reported on Thursday (April 5) that aid workers were battling an outbreak of diarrhoea among people who had fled their homes.

The World Council of Churches Office in the Pacific (WCC OP) with partners in the Pacific are assessing the situation and Rapid Response Funds will be requested within the next few days for an immediate response. WCC OP will work closely with its partners, including the Church of Melanesia, United Church and SICA.