On behalf of Mr. Clay Soalaoi, Minister of Health and Medical Services of the Solomon Islands, Ambassador Beraki Jino is scheduled to present awards to three of Taiwan’s medical experts: Mr. Hou-chaung Chen (Taichung Hospital), Ms. Shu-chuan Tseng (Wanfang Hospital) and Ms. Mei-chu Chou, a public health expert from Yale University. These will be bestowed at 3 PM on Friday August 3, 2007, at Taiwan’s Department of Health in appreciation of their assistance during the tsunami.

The Solomon Islands was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 8 on April 2 this year, creating a tsunami that caused 43 deaths and thousands of injuries. Out of compassion, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) immediately donated US$200,000 through its embassy in the Solomon Islands. In addition, TaiwanIHA, a task force formed jointly by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Health, also dispatched a medical team with 200 kg of medicine and equipment to the Solomon Islands on April 5. A medical station was set up on Ghizo Island, the most severely hit area. Members of the team cooperated with other international rescue organizations as well and later returned to Taiwan after completing its mission on April 16.

During the rescue, a Taiwanese fishing vessel taken by the team members became stuck on an atoll. Fortunately, a US Navy helicopter came to help the people on the boat, composed of the team, 13 International Red Cross rescue personnel and the crew. This incident shows that such missions are not without risk. Since its inception in February 2006, TaiwanIHA has joined several international rescue missions, thereby fully demonstrating Taiwan’s dedication to joining international medical and health efforts.