8 Feb 2013

Temotu province expected to receive urgent medical supplies today

6:04 am on 8 February 2013

The remote Temotu Province will finally receive urgent medical supplies and help, two days after a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit the Solomon Islands, killing nine people.

The eight-point-zero magnitude earthquake off the Santa Cruz island group triggered a tsunami that damaged Temotu's airport in Lata and cut off villages.

Our correspondent, Dorothy Wickham, says a chartered plane is due to arrive in Lata this morning.

"Along with the the prime minister, on there will be two doctors and a couple more health officials and some other people from the prime minister's office to go and see the damages and also I think the prime minister just needs to go and reassure the people in the area that the government will be supporting them."

Dorothy Wickham says a patrol boat left the capital Honiara last night with food and medical supplies and will arrive in Santa Cruz by this evening.

Meanwhile, the Premier of Temotu Province fears the death toll from Wednesday's earthquake and tsunami may rise.

Premier Father Brown Beu told SIBC the lack of communication to some of the affected communities makes it difficult to give an accurate account on the ground assessment report.

He says he fears the casualty list could rise.

Father Beu also those who lost their homes are in urgent need of temporary shelter, clothes and food.