Habitat for Humanity Japan (HFHJ)'s initial research team goes into the Solomon Islands after the earthquake, with financial support from Japan Platform. At 7:40 local time on April 2, 2007, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake hit the Solomon Islands, which triggered a large-scale tsunami. The National Disaster Council in the Solomon Islands announced that the death toll now stands at 52, and both the earthquake and the tsunami left as many as 50,000 victims and more than 2,500 houses partly or fully damaged according to Government of Japan.
The most serious damage occurred on the small islands of Gizo and Ranongga, which are located 345km northwest of the Solomon Islands' capital, Honiara. Though accurate figures have not been unveiled due to the lack of access for the research teams in some islands, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reports that the number of affected populations is estimated at 9,000, which amounts to 1.6% out of the island's total population.

Gizo residents remain on high ground, being afraid to return home and be hit by the tsunami again. Support for such victims is needed urgently as it is the time of year for the seasonal heavy rains. The Government lists the immediate needs to include temporary shelters, permanent housing, water and sanitation, trauma counseling, enlightenment on tsunami, re-supplying of damaged clinics and schools. NGOs like the World Vision Solomon, Save the Children Japan, Caritas, Oxfam as well as other regional organizations have started their relief efforts.
Taking advantage of their strengths, HFHJ starts initial research on supplying shelters and other related areas, which is recognized as one of the most demanded needs. Though Oxfam and Red Cross are also leading donors in providing shelter, they have already declared that they will focus their activities on Gizo and Choiseul respectively; it seems to be very hard to support all the victims in all the separate islands where transportation among them is very limited. Therefore it is critical to cooperate with other support donors, institutions and NGOs on assigning the response area to effectively cover as many damaged areas possible. In this initial research, we will gather necessary information and coordinate with local government to confirm the exact role of HFHJ. Moreover, we are aiming to identify the appropriate style of house in the potential support areas and to coordinate the method of procurement for the necessary facilities.