Government of Samoa Press Release No.9 about Cyclone Evan Relief Efforts

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Government of Samoa Press Release No.9 about Cyclone Evan Relief Efforts

Tags: Tropical Cyclone Evan Posted date: December 26, 2012 | No comment

The death toll stands at five (5), with a total of eleven (11) persons still missing (9 lost at sea, 2 on land).

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

Data of the Initial Damage Assessment has been compiled, and maps (attached at the end of this Press Release) have been created from available data to indicate the areas (largely the flooded zone) where there are a high number of homes completely devastated, and the largest number of displaced people are noted as being from urban areas. This has related sanitation concerns given problems with inconsistent reticulated water supply in parts of this area. Villages in rural areas of Upolu also suffered losses of completely destroyed houses and displaced people, with the most significant damage and displacement in the districts of Lefaga, Safata, Siumu Falealili and Fagaloa. A short summary provided by the Disaster Management Office (DMO) has been included below.
Level of Damage Total # houses with damage Total # people affected

Minor 353 3208

Major 462 3569

Completely destroyed 526 3763

TOTAL 1,341 10,540

A number of households may have already evacuated at the time the data was collected, therefore it is possible the actual number of displaced households and damaged houses have not been accounted for. In addition, a number of villages earlier reported to have minimal or no damage, were later visited and confirmed to be severely affected. A plan is in development to revisit many of the villages to reassess the data, and also to identify any villages that may have been missed. The images of the Cyclone’s impact in some of Upolu’s villages have been geo-referenced and a map has been created and attached. This map provides a visual of the impacts in the areas covered by the imagery reconnaissance conducted by the P3 Orion of the New Zealand Defence Force.

ELECTRICITY

Supply has been restored to the following locations: the Central Business District from Matautu to Mulinuu, Tanugamanono to parts of Letogo and Moataa; Vaitele and Vaitele-Fou to Toamua and from the Chinese Embassy to the Matautu Wharf and Tuanaimato to Tanumapua. Due to severe damage to the pen stocks for the hydro power plant at Lalomauga, the Electric Power Corporation has revised its plans to reinstate the power supply from this plant as early as possible by instigating the hirage of generators from development partners overseas to help minimize disruptions. Two teams of linesman from Savaii are currently assisting in the Safata, Siumu and Falealili areas. The extra manpower will help hasten repair work, as electricity supply is also critical to power water pumps for water circulation.

WATER

Supply to the following areas has been restored: Vaivase Uta, Vaivase Tai, Magiagi, Moataa, Apia Park, Vaiala, Vaipuna, Matautu Uta, Matautu Tai, Apia, Aai o Niue, Maluafou, Faatoia, part of Lelata, Maagao, Vailele, Vailima, Papaloloa, Papauta, Leufisa, Tanugamanono, Motootua Hospital area, Taufusi, Saleufi, Vaimea to Lepea, Alamagoto, Moamoa to Vaitele, Siusega going westwards to Leulumoega Tuai. Supply to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital at Motootua is now fully restored. Establishment of water refilling stations for the public has started with two tanks installed behind the John Williams Building and another two at Malifa. The remaining tanks will be distributed and installed at strategic locations as they become available. The rural water supply schemes that are yet to be fully restored include Aleisa, Tafitoala, Faleapuna, Tiavi, Aleipata, Saanapu and Salamumu, and Tiavea Uta & Tai. Samoa Water Authority teams are distributing generators to enable pumping of water from village boreholes.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Water and sanitation is an issue at all evacuation centres due to lack of water and subsequent poor personal hygiene, causing concern for the risk of an outbreak of disease. The presence of rodents attracted to the camp waste is being discouraged through daily rubbish collection. Due to lack of electricity, a number of food storage safety checks were initiated and eighteen (18) premises were closed due to lack of water.

Food sellers are being checked to ensure the safety the public health. In response, nutritional guidance and hygiene maintenance notices are being broadcast via radio and by way of public notices in evacuation centres. Increasing dust from dried river sediment is also an issue. Water sampling is taking place, however analysis is not possible due to lack of electricity. The Health Sector has mobilised three (3) clinical teams of Ministry of Health (MOH) staff to visit all of Apia’s urban shelters. The National Health Service has similar responsibilities for Upolu’s rural shelters whilst maintaining normal outpatient and emergency services. The MOH has implemented their hazard assessment and risk management plan which allows for inspection and monitoring teams to be deployed every second day.

PUBLIC SUPPORT

The Ministry of Finance has established the “Cyclone Evan Special Purpose Account�? to enable the public to make donations in support of those affected by the cyclone. Details below:

Bank account name: GOS Cyclone Evan

Account no: 4040880

Bank: ANZ Bank (Samoa) Ltd

ASSISTANCE

A third Australian airlift, via a chartered Qantas 767, delivered emergency relief supplies to Samoa yesterday, bringing more than 800 hygiene kits comprised of soap, towels, a torch, candles, batteries and other personal items. Also included in the emergency relief were supplies of protective cleaning gear and generators from the Australian Federal Police for Samoa Police Service outstations. Yesterday’s delivery follows a major airlift last Friday 21st December, where an Australian Defence Force C-17 delivered more than 28 tons of cargo including 5000+ insecticide nets, 2000+ tarpaulins and shelter kits. “The supplies will make an important difference to affected families over Christmas and the New Year. Australia continues to work closely with the Government of Samoa and development partners to ensure vital humanitarian needs are met,�? said Dr. Stephen Henningham, Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa. A third shipment of twenty (20) pallets of relief supplies arrived from American Samoa overnight. The shipment of emergency assistance arrived late Sunday evening through the Governor’s Office and includes twelve (12) pallets of bottled water, one (1) pallet of canned goods and seven (7) pallets of clothing and towels.

NGO & PRIVATE ASSISTANCE SUNGO,

Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations, had its first meeting with its members on Sat 21st December. The Disaster Management Office (DMO) attended and advised them to focus on the psycho–social aspects for those affected. The ANZ Bank has donated ST$100,000 to Caritas for its relief programmes. Samoa Red Cross has now refocused its efforts to the distribution of bedding and clothing as the DMO has taken responsibility for all welfare centre distributions etc. Red Cross is also assisting with latrine pit construction and community water supply in conjunction with its water and sanitation sector responsibilities.

TRANSPORT LINKS

The major coastal road networks and inland road networks have been cleared. All contractors are now focusing on clearing debris from the flood affected area. Faleolo Airport is operating. Shipping services operating as normal.

WASTE REMOVAL & DISPOSAL

Areas affected by flooding during Cyclone Evan have been divided in to zones with a total of sixteen (16) contractors deployed, using 100 trucks to transport debris to the Tafaigata Landfill. Approximately 40 percent of debris has already been removed from the Apia area. Clean up in Tafitoala, Lotofaga, Safata, and Luatuanuu has started with waste removal for Nuusuatia scheduled to start on Thursday 27th December.
TOURISM The Samoa Tourism Authority conducted a rapid assessment and reports that Cyclone Evan affected accommodation properties in Apia, Siumu, Salamumu and Safata. The hotels on the southern side of Upolu that were earlier affected by the 2009 tsunami, such as Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa, Maninoa Beach Fales, Sina PJ Beach Fales and Samoana Resort have also been affected.

ENVIRONMENT

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) have conducted an initial environmental assessment with plans for a more thorough assessment in early 2013 that will include Savaii. Severe forest damage is on the southern coast of Upolu from the Lefaga District to Falealii District. Mt Vaea in north central Upolu was also severely impacted due to its exposed aspect. The lowland areas of Upolu appear to have sustained greater damage. Concern has also been expressed for bird species, already under threat, which have now lost their habitat and are more vulnerable. MNRE are recommending a public education campaign to encourage preservation of native flora and fauna.

AGRICULTURE

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) reports that the worst hit areas are Lefaga, Salamumu, Safata, Siumu, and Falealili Districts, including Aleisa and Cross-Island Road. In these areas, there is 100 percent loss of Banana trees, 50 percent loss of Breadfruit and 80 percent loss of other economically important crops (i.e. cocoa, citrus, and coffee). Root crops suffered a 30 percent loss. Livestock data is still being gathered, and there is estimated to be minimal damage to coastal fisheries.

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