A specialist World Vision team has made a start in tackling the threat of disease in the makeshift hilltop camps in tsunami-hit Gizo in the Solomon Islands, after the recent arrival of a major World Vision aid shipment.

The giant tidal wave, triggered by an 8.0 magnitude earthquake in the early hours of last Monday, measured between two and 10 metres high in places and killed at least 34 people.

Almost half of the Western Province, which has a population of about 90,000, is thought to have been affected by the tsunami.

Thousands of people have fled the area in the wake of the disaster.

The World Vision aid included urgently needed tarpaulins, mosquito nets, blankets and other basic items. They will provide shelter and protection from malaria in the camps that are now under threat from disease.

The spread of diarrhoea is a particular concern with a number of cases being reported and fears that infection will spread rapidly.

Meanwhile, a specialist water and sanitation team has visited the more remote camps and set up basic hygiene facilities. Efforts are also underway to secure clean water for the camps.

A World Vision nurse has spent the last few days conducting health assessments in camps and in the more remote villages.

Most of the severe injuries have now been evacuated to the capital Honiara.

In addition, a 16-member Australian Defence Force medical team and a Canadian medical team arrived recently with a 15,000 litre a day purification unit.

World Vision reports that there has been some food distribution of rice to affected areas but it remains concerned over malnutrition.

Most of the villages World Vision visited in its initial emergency assessment were deserted, while people on the islands are too fearful to return to the water to fish and in many cases their boats have been destroyed.

The relief agency has organised the dispatch of a further 500 emergency kits to be sent from Honiaro to Gizo.