MANILA, Philippines, April 4 (UPI) -- The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it will provide aid to the Solomon Islands for post-quake reconstruction.
While the Manila-based agency did not specify how much money it could provide in aid relief, it said that staff members from the ADB's Pacific department will be traveling to the islands "soon" to "assist in identifying reconstruction and rehabilitation needs."
The ADB also said it is working closely with other multilateral organizations to mobilize resources and expertise that will be needed to restore services to the islands' Western and Choiseul provinces.
At least 28 people have been killed following an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale and the resulting tsunamis earlier this week. Given the archipelago's location in the South Pacific and the heavy damages to its main airport in Gizo, international aid workers have found it difficult to reach the worst-hit rural areas to provide assistance and to assess the scope of the damage.
