The Australian government announced on Wednesday it will send disaster relief to areas of the Solomon Islands hit by earthquakes.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Crean has promised 50,000 Australian dollars (US$45,722) in emergency aid.

The first assessments have discovered limited damage to housing, most on the island of Rendova.

"Australia is concerned for the welfare of all those affected by the earthquakes and will offer appropriate assistance to help the people of the Solomon Islands," Crean said in a statement.

The money will go to the Red Cross and Oxfam, allowing the aid organization to distribute tarps, water containers and emergency kits.

"Australia will consider further assistance once damage has been more fully assessed."

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit the western part of Solomon Islands Tuesday night, followed by a number of smaller quakes with a magnitude of five, including one at 6.0 magnitude.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2010)