Regarding the effect of the magnitude 8 earthquake that hit the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean, Habitat for Humanity Japan has gained the following information from our sources:
?　A magnitude 8/8.1 earthquake and a 10ft-high tsunami hit the Solomon Islands on Monday, April 2nd, at around 7:39 a.m. The most affected areas were the islands on the west side, facing Papua New Guinea. There was not much damage in Honiara, only a small quake was felt.
?　A 10ft-high tsunami hit the Solomon Islands on Monday, wiping out one village and killing at least 13 people, according to news reports. However, it is expected that the number of deaths could be more than 20.（ HFH-AP, Solomon Island Government communication unit press release）
?　Large waves struck the western town of Gizo, inundating buildings and causing widespread destruction. The Solomon Islands Red Cross said approximately 2,000 people, or 10 percent of Gizo’s population, are now homeless, while some 500 houses may have been damaged or destroyed. （Solomon Island Government communication unit press release）
People ran up the hill, and stayed overnight outside, without roof. (A comment from a HFHJ member living in Honiara)
?　The Solomon Islands comprise more than 200 islands northeast of Australia, with a population of about 552,000 people. The islands lie on the Pacific Basin's so-called "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines where quakes frequently happen.（HFH-AP）
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?　The population of the Solomon Islands is 487,000.
(MOFA http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/solomon/, 2006)
?　Houses in Solomon are vulnerable, made of Nipa, so they can be easily wiped out by a tsunami. (A comment from a HFHJ member living in Honiara)
?　The National Disaster Council (NDC) has withdrawn an alert warning to the people of Western and Choiseul Provinces.　However, the chairman advised people in the affected area to keep listening to their radios for further information. The government through the NDC is mobilizing a team of some 40 people to go to the affected area to carry out ground assessment. It is expected that government and non-government personnel will involve in the assessment. （Solomon Island Government communication unit press release）
?　Aftershocks are still continuing. (A comment from a HFHJ member living in Honiara)
?　The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake struck 6 miles beneath the sea floor and was followed with two more earthquakes measuring magnitudes 6.7 and 6.4.（Solomon Island Government communication unit press release）