The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has paid FJ$20,000.00 from the Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund to the victims of a series of earthquakes which struck the Western Province of Solomon Islands on 4th January 2010.
"As the region is prone to natural disasters, Forum Leaders established the Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund several years ago to assist member countries who experience natural disasters such as cyclones or earthquakes. This is to assist in the relief and rehabilitation of the disaster victims," says Feleti Teo, Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.Mr Teo expressed sympathy for those who were affected by the earthquakes in Solomon Islands.
The money has been paid to the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office in Honiara which has been coordinating relief supplies to the victims of the earthquakes.
A total of seven earthquakes measuring up to 7.2 on the Richter scale shook the islands of Rendova and Tetepari in the Solomon Islands Western Province in the early hours of 4th January damaging houses and food gardens. About 500 houses were destroyed and an estimated 2,000 people were left homeless.
There were no casualties reported.
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