The death toll in the Solomon Islands is now at least 21 lives lost, and around 49,000 people are homeless after storms and flooding tore up Honiara in one of the worst natural disasters ever to strike the islands.  Right now, aid workers say they need to stop the spread of disease, especially Dengue Fever.

Australia is sending two engineers and two rapid response team members to help respond to the disaster.  Earlier, Foreign minister Julie Bishop announced an extra A$250,000 in aid, on top of the $50,000 pledged last week.

New Zealand is sending that much, plus a RNZAF C-130 Hercules packed with aid is bound for Honiara Airport, which had been closed because the runways were clogged with debris.  Oxfam Soloman Islands Country Director Katie Greenwood says around one in five people in Honiara are seeking shelter at the moment.

“This is unprecedented, and I’ve seen earthquakes and tsunamis and other very bad flooding incidents,” said Greenwood.  “But this flash flooding is unlike anything that I’ve seen previously here in the country.”

The Australian high commission in Honiara is contacting Australians in the country to check on their welfare and safety, and so far it appears none are missing.