Rescuers reach second cyclone isle

There have been no reports of casualties on Anuta

By Phil Mercer BBC, Honiara

First contact has been made with a remote South Pacific island hit by tropical cyclone Zoe more than a week ago.

Relief workers have landed on Anuta, one of two inhabited islands on the far eastern fringes of the Solomons chain.

There had been no contact with Anuta since the cyclone

Aid agency workers said the situation on Anuta was exceptionally good, with no reports of any casualties among the population of 300.

Reconstruction work is continuing on the neighbouring island of Tikopia, which bore the brunt of the most powerful storm ever recorded in the region.

Further assessment

There had been no communication with Anuta since Cyclone Zoe tore through this part of the South Pacific more than nine days ago.

A brief inspection of the volcanic island has suggested the damage inflicted on the community is far less than that on Tikopia, roughly 75 nautical miles away.

Click here for a map of the area

A further assessment of food and water supplies will be carried out to determine what sort of help the islanders need.

Zoe was a category five cyclone, the most powerful this part of the world has ever seen.

It hovered above Tikopia for more than 14 hours, whipping up huge waves and gale force winds.

Dozens of homes simply vanished, either blown away or washed into the sea.

Churches and schools in the community of 1,500 people were also destroyed.

Response to criticism

The relief effort to both islands is now in full swing. A third supply boat is scheduled to leave Honiara later on Tuesday.

Homes were washed into the sea in Tikopia

The large fishing vessel will carry giant water tanks, as well as more food and emergency shelter.

Its journey to Tikopia is being paid for by the Australian Government and should, depending on the weather, take about three days.

The Australians have responded to criticism about delays in dispatching help to the islands.

It was more than a week before emergency crews reached Tikopia and took even longer to make contact with Anuta.

The Australian High Commissioner in Honiara, Bob Davis, said his office had reacted quickly to Cyclone Zoe by supplying fuel and emergency supplies for the relief operation.

Aid workers here have said the absence of airstrips on the islands and their sheer isolation has hampered rescue efforts.

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