Australian aid heading to the Solomons' disaster areas today

Australia is sending a plane-load of supplies to the Solomon Islands today, where tsunami survivors are battling disease as they struggle to find shelter and clean water.

A Hercules aircraft is scheduled to leave Sydney in the morning with basic necessities for the victims.

Two days after the disaster, authorities are still struggling to get aid to survivors.

Officials say about 30 people have been killed as a result of the quake and tsunami, which have left more than five thousand people homeless.

And the islands have been rocked by two more strong eathquakes yesterday.

Australia's Foreign Minister says the emergency supplies include 500 tarpaulins, 900 water containers, 500 blankets and more than 50,000 water purifying tablets.

Alexander Downer says the plane's also carrying emergency medical field packs to support local hospitals.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald