Pacific

Solomons quake and tsunami death toll reaches 52

13:59 pm on 16 April 2007

The confirmed death toll from the earthquake and tsunami in the west of Solomon Islands is now 52.

Food and medical supplies are reaching most people and the relief effort is focussing on rebuilding villages shattered two weeks ago.

A government spokesperson, Alfred Maesulia, says about 5,000 people are still homeless and the death toll has risen.

"It is now two weeks after the disaster and all the missing people have been accounted for. It means the death toll of 52 is the actual number."

A Solomon Islands government spokesperson, Alfred Maesulia.

The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team estimates that about 9000 people are displaced as a result of the disaster.