The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and
principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
Samoan
•
Tsunami Sept 30
Situation Report #2
Date/Time 8.00pm (0800 GMT)
This report was issued by UNOCHA’s Fiji Office. It covers the period from 11.30am 30/9/09 to 8.00 pm 30/9/09.
A destructive Tsunami has struck American Samoa, Western Samoa, and the small northern island of
Niuatoputapu in Tonga.
Western Samoa
Western Samoa has declared a State of Disaster and requested assistance from foreign missions and the
United Nations. 62 people are now confirmed dead and 142 confirmed injured. However, the Samoan
NDMO believes that up to 100 people may have been killed with many more injured and displaced.
Widespread damage to houses and infrastructure has occurred. However, UNDP Samoa reports that major
roads on Upolu Island are not too damaged.
In many instances, relatives from Apia are driving to affected areas to collect injured family members and
bring them to Apia hospital. Caritas Australia reports that they have converted the Pastoral Centre at
Logoipulotu in Savaii to an emergency medical centre. It is also reported that many families are providing
shelter to relatives who may have had their homes damaged or destroyed.
Eye witness reports suggest that looters have entered some resorts but there are no reports of widespread
looting at this point.
Tonga
The Government of Tonga has declared a State of Emergency for Niuatoputapu, the closest island to Samoa
(about 400 miles North of Nuku’alofa). The total population of Niuatoputapu is approximately 1,000 people.
Tonga Defence Services have confirmed that 6 people are dead and 4 missing. Widespread damage is also
reported, including to the hospital, which the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency
Management reports have been destroyed, and many coastal villages.
The Australian vessel – the Voea Neiafu – will depart Nuku'alofa at 1900 local time tonight (30 September Fiji
time). Its estimated arrival time in Niuatoputapu is 1900 local tomorrow (1 October Fiji Time).
The ship will
take food, stores (tents, tarpaulins etc.), medical supplies, a 5-person civilian medical team, one Tonga Red
Cross personnel and a two-person media team.
American Samoa
There are 19 reported, but unconfirmed fatalities, in Pago Pago, the capital. US President Barack Obama
has declared a “Major Disaster” and FEMA are coordinating a response.
Clear Areas
Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Niue, and Fiji have not
suffered major damage as a result of the Tsunami.
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
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Death toll in Western Samoa has risen to 62 and is expected to rise
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Northern Tonga also affected with 6 confirmed dead. A State of Emergency has been
declared for Niuatoputapu
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Western Samoa has declared a State of Disaster and requested assistance from foreign
missions and the United Nations.
II. Situation Overview
The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective
and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
2
Initial Assessement
NZAID have mobilised a P3 Orion which is expected to reach Samoa on the evening of 30 September (Fiji
Time) to conduct a flyover and surveillance of Upolu and Savaii.
Both the Samoan Red Cross Society and Caritas have mobilized assessments teams to Southern Upolu.
OXFAM are gathering information gathering through their partner agency in Samoa, Women in Business
Emergency Shelter
• Many Samoan families are providing shelter to relatives who have been affected by the Tsunami, however,
there is likely to be substantial emergency shelter requirements in Samoa and also potentially in Tonga.
• The Samoa Red Cross Society (SRCS) has mobilized 130 volunteers who are mainly conducting the
registration of evacuees and providing water and relief distribution. A family tracing service has been made
available and activities have been commenced to help re-establish family links
Emergency Telecoms
• The Samoa NDMO has requested additional Satellite phone airtime as a matter of urgency
• Telecoms Sans Frontieres has offered their assistance
Food and Nutrition
• There is the potential for both short and long term food shortages in both Samoa and Tonga. No reports
regarding this have been received as of yet.
• A ship carrying food has been dispatched in Tonga and is expected to reach Niuatoputapu tomorrow
morning.
Health
• Emergency medical needs have been reported in Samoa. The medical situation in Tonga is unknown
• Currently many families in Upolu are transporting their relatives to Apia. Caritas has converted the Pastoral
Centre at Logoipulotu in Savaii to an emergency medical centre.
• There is a reported shortage of medical staff. It is likely that a shortage of medical equipment and supplies
will arise
Logistics
• Upolu roads and the Apia airport have not reported any damage. There have been no reports received of
damage to Savaii roads.
Protection
• There have been reports of looting in tourist areas in Samoa.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
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UNICEF is reviewing its prepositioned relief items in Suva and focusing on pre-identified gap areas to
support.
Cross-Cluster/Sector Issues
• NZ Red Cross is coordinating with NZAID, and ready to dispatch 100 First Aid kits, 500 water containers and
500 tarpaulins. The size of this equipment needs to be confirmed. The Red Cross assessment team will
distribute the First Aid kits. A NZ Red Cross delegate will be deployed to Samoa to provide support to SRCS.
NZ is also planning to dispatch medical kits and relief items with the NZ C130, pending authorization from the
Samoa government. Both the NZ and Australian Governments are considering dispatching medical teams
within a few days. Oxfam are ready to dispatch emergency pre-positioned stocks from Brisbane, which
includes mainly WASH items such as mosquito nets, hygiene kits, jerry cans. They have sufficient stock to
cover a population of 10,000 available immediately.
Australia has offered assistance including tents, helicopters, and medical teams.
III. Humanitarian Needs and Response
The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective
and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
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NZHC (and AHC) in Apia have received from Samoan MFAT a formal written request for assistance.
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NZAID/NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have established a crisis centre to co-ordinate NZ
response.
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Samoa Red Cross have called a board meeting and are planning their response.
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The IFRC in Suva and KL are on standby as are Save the Children Australia and New Zealand.
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Oxfam Australia are on standby.
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OCHA continues to provide information to PHT partners as it becomes available.
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The National Disaster Council in Samoa met with UN partners at 4pm this afternoon (30 September Fiji
time)
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A NZAID staff member and media advisor, and MFAT consular emergency response staff are being
deployed to Samoa to assist with relief efforts
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Air New Zealand flight to Apia at 1415 was upgraded to allow more passengers.
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Oxfam will dispatch Renzo Benfatto to Samoa, who has offered to lead the formation of the WASH cluster
if necessary.
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An UNDAC team has been requested and will be deployed.
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A SOPAC staff member will deploy to coordinate scientific survey teams.
OCHA Pacific - RDRA
Peter Muller
peter.muller@undp.org
Tel +679-331 6761
Mob +679-999 1664
New York
Aditee Maskey
Asia-Pacific Section
Coordination and Response
Division
UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs
Phone: 1-917-367-9899
BB: 1-917-602-0212
E-Mail: maskeya@un.org
OCHA Regional Office Asia
Pacific
Ms. Yindee Lertcharoenchok
Humanitarian Affairs Analyst
(Disaster Response)
Tel: +66 (0) 2288 2437
lertcharoenchok@un.org
IV. Coordination
VI. Contact