Direct Relief Offers Aid to Solomon Islands Following Earthquakes

January 4, 2010 

Direct Relief International has offered emergency medical assistance this morning to its partner in the Solomon Islands, the Loloma Foundation, following 7.2- and 6.5-magnitude earthquakes there today. A string of earthquakes has caused landslides that have damaged homes and villages on two islands, Tetepare and Rendova, according to news reports. No deaths have yet been reported, and injury reports are being collected.

Direct Relief has supported the Loloma Foundation’s work in the Solomon Islands since 2008 with almost $1.5 million (wholesale) in medical material aid. The Loloma Foundation provides primary care services to Solomon Islanders free of charge, and has helped train midwives in the islands to provide safer, cleaner births.

Based on the Loloma Foundation’s specific requests to assist islanders affected by the earthquakes, Direct Relief will provide appropriate medical aid.