13 Apr 2007

Red Cross to hand food distribution over to Solomons government

3:55 pm on 13 April 2007

The Red Cross is today handing over the responsibility for food distribution to the Solomon Islands government, as they turn their attention to providing tools and shelter for up to 5,000 people.

The New Zealand Red Cross's information delegate Rosemary North says they will assess the food distribution operation after two weeks.

But she says the most important thing now is to get shelter to those who fled when the earthquake and tsunami hit the area.

"Because almost everybody is sleeping in the bush, away from the coastline. Everybody is moved up inland; there has been this exodus from the coast. So we are really concerned that people have enough shelter, especially the last few days it has been raining. It can't have been much fun sleeping out."

Food and medical supplies have also reached Choiseul Province.