Solomon Island’s Victim Support’s first movement investigation and field report
The initial research team Habitat for Humanity Japan sent to the Solomon Islands left Japan on April 26, 2007. First, the team visited the capital Honiara, where it spent several days collecting information from various government sources. Then, on May 1, the team moved from Honiara to the island of Gizo, which was closer to the epicenter and the most heavily damaged of the islands. The team's intent was to send the first report from that location.
[Gizo Island, Day two = Tsukamoto Toshiya] We arrived in the capital of Honiara on the 27th, and as it was the weekend, we focused on gathering information. Most Japanese people are not very familiar with the name Honiara, but may have heard of Guadalcanal Island. It is said that 31,000 Japanese soldiers and 9,000 Allied Forces lost their lives in one of the battles of World War II some 60 years ago.
A violent earthquake of a record magnitude of 8.1 struck West Province 350 km away from the Capital Honiara at 7:40 am on April 2, 2007. Fifty-two persons were killed. It is reported that about fifty thousand people are suffering from the effects of not only the earthquake itself, but of a tsunami caused by the earthquake as well. It has now been one month since the earthquake on April 2nd, and still many of the evacuees are seeking refuge in the victim (IDP) camp from fear of tidal waves.
Today, we visited Titiana and New Manda villages, which are reported to be the most heavily damaged. We investigated the extent of the damage and talked with victims of the disaster.
Our intended project to build houses has attracted much attention and will no doubt get support from governmental agencies in cooperation with NGOs. However, many issues, including property issues, remain to be solved.
Habitat Japan’s expected duties are some pilot operations so there is a great sense for the need of a steady plan. Tomorrow we plan to inspect the stricken area of Corombangaran Island.
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