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.
Samoa/Tonga
•
Tsunami
Situation Report #3
Date/Time 1 October 2009
This report was issued by UNOCHA’s Fiji Office. It covers the period from 8.00pm 31/9/09 to 7.00 pm 01/10/09.
On 29 September at 06.48 hour local time, a powerful magnitude 8.0 Earthquake struck to the south of the
main Samoan Island chain with its epicentre 190 km south of the Samoan capital of Apia. The Pacific
Tsunami Warning Centre issued a series of Regional Tsunami Warning and related advisories. A series of
quake-triggered tsunami waves hit American Samoa, Western Samoa, and the small northern island of
Niuatoputapu in Tonga around 0700 hours local time. The quake and the high waves, some of which are said
to be as high as 6 metres, have caused serious casualty and damages to the affected Pacific Island
countries.
Samoa
As of 30 September, the Government of Samoa (GoS) reported 110 deaths and 146 injuries. The number is
expected to rise as search and rescue operations are continuing.
GoS has declared a “State of Disaster” and is being assisted by foreign missions and the United Nations.
Assessments and the distribution of relief have been mobilized by the National Disaster Council with
assistance from international and local partners.
The worst affected areas are reported to be the South and South Eastern coast of the island of Upolu.
Damage to family homes, community buildings, resorts, roads, power lines and water supply close to coastal
areas has been widely reported. Oxfam NZ reports that the Poutasi hospital has been destroyed and that
water supply and electricity are down in many of the affected areas. Some villages on Upolu, Monono and
Savaii islands are still reported to be under water. Communications by email and telephone remain difficult.
Key needs identified at this point are water, food, shelter supplies and psychosocial support.
Tonga
The island of Niuatoputapu, located 400 miles north of Nuku’alofa, was struck at three minute intervals by
three 6-metre waves at around 0700 hours local time on 29 September. Waves are reported to have traveled
up to 600 metres inland. Nearby Niuafo’ou Island is unaffected due to high cliffs.
Seven people are reported dead, three are missing, four survivors are in a critical condition, and other
survivors have sustained major injuries. The four critically injured people were scheduled to be airlifted to the
nearest hospital today.
There is no potable water left on the island and major damage to crops due to the inundation of sea water is
expected. Water storage facilities have also been destroyed.
The total population of Niuatoputapu is approximately 1,400. About 90% of houses are reported to have been
destroyed in the villages of Hihifo and Falehau. The third village, Vaipoa, is reported to be relatively
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
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A total of 110 deaths in Samoa, and seven in Tonga, have now been reported.
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Emergency medical services are a priority need in both countries along with water, food,
and shelter.
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Samoa has declared a “State of Disaster”. Tonga has declared Niuatoputapu a “Regional
Area of Emergency”.
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.
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unharmed. According to the 2006 census, the combined population of Hihifo and Falehau is approximately
700 people. Many displaced people are now assembling in the hall at the High School.
The only communication to the island is via the airport control tower and a yacht moored just offshore.
A Tongan Navy Patrol Boat carrying a medical team, counsellors, army engineers and supplies is expected to
arrive in Niuatoputapu at 6pm tonight. Upon arrival, the Tonga Defence Service, who are in charge of the
relief operation, will establish a command centre, assess the damage, and identify any further needs for
assistance. The island also has a Red Cross depot of emergency supplies.
A French Frigate will be calling at Nukulofa on a goodwill mission and leaving again on Saturday (Tongan
time) for to Niuatoputapu. It will be able to carry supplies.
Key needs identified at this point are medical assistance, food, water, shelter, non-food and sanitary items.
Initial Assessment
Despite anecdotal evidence there is still a shortage of verifiable and quantifiable information in either country.
Samoa
•
IFRC will dispatch a FACT team to Samoa. The team consists of technical experts of various sectors
including WASH, health, logistics, relief, psychosocial, shelter and tracing.
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UNICEF will mobilize 4 staff to conduct a multi-sectoral initial assessment in conjunction with Save the
Children New Zealand with a primary focus on evacuation centres.
Tonga
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The Tongan Defence service will conduct an assessment on Niuatoputapu.
Emergency Shelter
Tonga
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An aerial survey has reported that up to 90% of houses in the villages of Hihifo and Falehau have been
damaged or destroyed.
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Relief stock on hand at the Tonga Red Cross Society Office in Niuatoputapu, as outlined below, will be
distributed when Red Cross team arrives on 1 October. These supplies are unlikely to meet the total need
of the population.
o
Blankets
200
o
Cooking set :2 pots, plates, spoon, etc
100
o
Hurricane
Lamp
100
o
Plastic
bucket
100
o
Tarpaulins
6mx4m
200
o
Water
container
20lts
65
Emergency Telecoms
Samoa
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Communication remains difficult.
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Telecoms Sans Frontieres will arrive 2 October to help provide emergency communication network.
Food and Nutrition
Tonga
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A food shortage is likely on Niuatoputapu. This is also likely to be a long term issue due to reported crop
damage.
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A boat, carrying 20 bags each of flour and sugar, generators, tents, cooking sets, and water containers, is
expected to reach the island by 1800 hour on 1 October (Tongan Time).
Samoa
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Initial reports from agencies conducting assessments suggest a shortage of food.
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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UNICEF is deploying a health and nutrition expert to Samoa.
Health
Tonga
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Radio reports from Niuatoputapu have requested emergency medical services.
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Australia has 12 heart surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses in Nuku’alofa who have offered to go to
Niuatoputapu if required.
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WHO will deploy a staff member to their Tonga office to fill the gap due to the absence of their Country
Liaison Officer (CLO). The new CLO will coordinate with the Ministry of Health to provide disaster
response assistance.
Samoa
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There are reports of overcrowding in many hospitals. Initial reports suggest that emergency medical
services are an immediate need.
•
Medecins Sans Frontieres has mobilized a team comprising of a Nurse, Psychologist and Logistician,
who will arrive in Apia at 11.50am on Friday 2 October (Samoa time)
Protection
Samoa
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There have been no protection issues reported to date.
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The Pacific Humanitarian Protection Group is dispatching a Senior Protection Officer and the Head of
OHCHR to Samoa in order to make sure that protection is well mainstreamed into the disaster response
and protection issues are sufficiently addressed from the early stage of the disaster.
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One of the priority areas is protection of displaced populations in evacuation centers, emergency shelters
and in host families and ensuring equal distribution of relief items according to the identified needs.
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UNICEF is dispatching two staff with expertise in child protection, health and HIV/AIDS.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Samoa
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UNICEF is deploying a WASH expert from their NY office, who will play the role of WASH Cluster
Coordinator.
Tonga
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A daily media briefing will be held at 11:00am at the National Disaster Management Office. Operation
Niuatoputapu is being coordinated by Col. Siamelie Latu of the Tonga Defence Service.
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There has not been an official request for international assistance. The Tongan Government is working
with the Australian and New Zealand Governments on a bilateral basis.
Samoa
A four-member UNDAC team led by OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor, Peter Muller, has arrived in
Samoa. The team will work in support to the UN Country Team and Government systems in coordinating the
response. A support unit of the Asia Pacific Humanitarian Partner is scheduled to arrive on 1 October to
support the UNDAC team.
Samoa
In response to Samoa’s request, the Australian Government will send medical personnel and urgently needed
disaster relief supplies. A chartered aircraft was scheduled to depart on 1 October with medical personnel.
The flight will also carry Australian Government personnel from AusAID, Emergency Management Australia,
the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A Defence C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying humanitarian supplies will leave on 2 October. The package of
support includes disaster relief items such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets, mosquito nets and water containers.
The response is part of a $2 million initial package of support to help Samoa respond to the immediate
IV. Coordination
V. Funding and International Assistance
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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aftermath of the tsunami. Australia has announced its readiness to offer further assistance to Samoa and
other Pacific countries.
At the request of Samoa, New Zealand is sending a team of Army medics to join a civilian medical team that
left on an Air Force Hercules on 30 September. Included in the flight are temporary morgue facilities, tents,
stretchers and medical and food supplies. Several police officers skilled in body identification are also
deployed with the team. The Government of New Zealand has announced it is ready to do all it could to help
Samoa deal with the unfolding disaster both for the immediate and long-term needs.
The Navy frigate Canterbury is being prepared and likely to be sent next week once the needs of the GoS are
clear. The New Zealand Government has made an immediate aid donation to Samoa and Tonga of $NZ1
million. The money will go to the islands’ governments, the Red Cross and other non-governmental
organizations.
The European Commission has announced it will provide 150,000 euros in initial emergency aid.
Tonga
The Government of Tonga intends to issue a local appeal over the radio at lunch time today for residents of
Tongatapu to donate basic items of food, bedding and clothing.
OCHA Pacific - RDRA
Peter Muller
Tel +679-331 6761
Mob +679-999 1664
Email: peter.muller@undp.org
New York
Aditee Maskey
Asia-Pacific Section
Coordination and Response
Division
UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs
Phone: 1-917-367-9899
Email: maskeya@un.org
OCHA Regional Office Asia
Pacific
Ms. Yindee Lertcharoenchok
Humanitarian Affairs Analyst
(Disaster Response)
Tel: +66-2-288 2437
Email: ertcharoenchok@un.org
VI. Contact