2007年VOA标准英语-International Response to Solomon Islands Tsuna

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
06 April 2007

tsunami1 on the outskirts2 of Gizo island in the Solomon Islands, 05 Apr 2007" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070530/1116070.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

Children hunt for clothes after their village of Titiana, where 15 people died, was hit by a tsunami on the outskirts of Gizo island in the Solomon Islands, 05 Apr 2007

The International Federation³ of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says the international response to tsunami victims in the Solomon Islands is gathering⁴ pace. At least 34 people have been killed and more than 5,000 others displaced by a powerful earthquake and tsunami that struck the South Pacific nation Monday. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Red Cross headquarters in Geneva.

The Red Cross Federation reports about 15,000 people are affected⁵ by the tsunami. Government health officials say the figure could be higher, with up to 50,000 people affected by the disaster.

Getting aid to the victims has been difficult. But, Red Cross Spokeswoman, Anna Nelson, says it should be easier now that direct air travel into Gizo, the hardest hit island, has resumed.

Over the past few days, she says relief items have had to be flown to an airstrip on the island of Mundo, which is not far from Gizo. From there, she says the supplies have been sent by boat to the more remote regions.

"In addition, planes from New Zealand, Australia and France have all been dispatched with relief items. So, the international response in terms of just getting the items there has definitely gathered pace," she said. "And, in terms of the Red Cross, Red Crescent response, the International Federation has sent a team of 10 disaster management experts who are now on the ground and are now active in that operation in the affected area. And, those include water and sanitation⁶, health, relief experts who can really lend a hand and support to this response as well."

Latest assessments⁷ indicate a heightened risk of diarrhea is emerging in some of the camps for displaced people. The Red Cross says it is concerned a shortage of safe drinking water could lead to an outbreak of other waterborne diseases.

The National Disaster Council estimates between 900 and 2,500 houses have been damaged or destroyed by the tsunami. Schools and hospitals are affected and about half of the Islands' health centers are not operational. Food markets reportedly are closed, fishing disrupted and domestic farming damaged.

Nelson says volunteers from the Solomon Islands Red Cross began distributing relief items, such as sheets and tarpaulins⁸ to victims immediately after the disaster. She says about 60 volunteers are traveling by canoe to reach people stuck in very remote islands.

"It is still very difficult to know exactly what the situation is. The other thing that is happening is that every time there is an after shock, and the after shocks have been quite severe, earthquake magnitude after shocks, people run back to the hills," Nelson said. "They run for higher ground which is making it very difficult to get an exact clear picture of who is missing, who is homeless, who is displaced and where people really are."

The Red Cross has issued a preliminary emergency appeal for more than $800,000. It says priority needs are for water containers and purification systems, as well as medical supplies and cooking sets. It says some local communities are experiencing food shortages.

1 tsunami   

n.海啸

参考例句：

• Powerful quake sparks tsunami warning in Japan.大地震触发了日本的海啸预警。
• Coastlines all around the Indian Ocean inundated by a huge tsunami.大海啸把印度洋沿岸地区都淹没了。

2 outskirts   

n.郊外，郊区

参考例句：

• Our car broke down on the outskirts of the city.我们的汽车在市郊出了故障。
• They mostly live on the outskirts of a town.他们大多住在近郊。

3 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

4 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

6 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

7 assessments   

n.评估( assessment的名词复数 )；评价；（应偿付金额的）估定；（为征税对财产所作的）估价

参考例句：

• He was shrewd in his personal assessments. 他总能对人作出精明的评价。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Surveys show about two-thirds use such assessments, while half employ personality tests. 调查表明，约有三分之二的公司采用了这种测评；而一半的公司则采用工作人员个人品质测试。 来自百科语句

8 tarpaulins   

n.防水帆布，防水帆布罩( tarpaulin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Main wood to aluminum and plexiglass, PC, tarpaulins, toughened glass. 主材以铝型材与进口有机玻璃、PC、防水布、钢化玻璃。 来自互联网
• That means providing tents or other materials, including plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and wood. 这意味着需要帐篷和其他物资，包括塑料布、放水油布和木材。 来自互联网