Samoa Tsunami SITREP

NEOC SITREP 3

Samoa Tsunami SITREP

EVENT NAME: Samoa Tsunami

SITREP No: 3

From: National Emergency Operation Centre Date/time:

1300 hrs, 6 October 2009

Summary

Overview

A magnitude 8.3 earthquake occurred at 0648 hours on Tuesday 29 September 2009 190 km south of Apia.
The earthquake triggered tsunami waves which impacted Samoa, American Samoa and the small northern
island of Niauatoputapu in Tonga. The tsunami waves, some of which are said to have been as high as six
metres, caused fatalities, casualties and serious damage to the affected Pacific Island countries.

The parameters of the earthquake are:

Origin time

—

Tuesday 29 September 2009 at 0648 hours

Coordinates

—

15.3°S, 171.0°@W

Focal depth

—

33 km

Location

—

Samoa Islands Region

Richter Magnitude —

8.3

Proclamation status

A Proclamation was signed by his Highness the Head of State declaring Samoa as a State of Emergency on
2 October 2009. The Proclamation will remain in force for 30

days. This is intended to make it easier for

donor assistance as well as transport services rules to be waived to ensure that all types of assistance and
needs are provided for immediately.

Summary of response

Government agencies, NGO’s, emergency services, international agencies and lifeline utility operators have
responded both on the ground and via their Emergency Operations Centres. The National Emergency
Operations Centre established at the Faleata Fire Station is the central control point for the response
operation.

Event Status

Tsunami

The coastal areas of Samoa sustained damages with extensive destruction mainly to the south eastern coast
of Upolu Island. Damages were to resorts, family homes and community buildings, roads, power lines and
water supply located along the coastline of the affected areas.

People

Deaths:

•

There are 142 confirmed deaths. This total includes visitors and locals as well as incomplete body
remains registered. The majority of the deaths (85%) occurred in the Aleipata district, mostly
Lalomanu (total 62) followed by Salepaga (total 26).

Missing:

•

7 people are missing.

Injuries:

•

619 patients have been treated at various hospitals.

•

Patients admitted – 99, out of this number, 33 were discharged and 66 remain in hospital.

•

Patients referred – 73

•

Patients who received surgical operations – 101

NEOC SITREP: 3
Date: 06/10/09
Event Name: Samoa Tsunami

NEOC SITREP 3

Households affected:

•

Evacuation centers have been established – 11 in the district of Aileipata, 9 in Falealili and 1 in

Siumu and centers on Monono-tai to be reconfirmed later this afternoon. Samoa Red Cross has
been conducting registrations of people camping under temporary shelter.

•

The following families have been affected:
Saleapaga – 20 families, Utufaalalafa – 16 families, Lalomanu – 20 families, Lotopue – 20 families,
Satitoa – 28 families, Saleaumua – 27 families, Mutiatele – 20 families, Vailoa – 13 families, Lepa –
30 families, Ulutogia – 20 families, Malaela – 15 families, Eva – 1 family, Iliili – 2 families, Lotofaga –
2 families, Maninoa – 2 families, Matafaa – 5 families, Matatufu – 4 families, Mulivai Safata – 2
families, Poutasi – 22 families, Saaga – 3 families, Saanaput-tai – 14 families, Safaatoa – 0, Salani –
9 families, Saleilua – 2 families, Salesatele – 3 families, Sapoe – 7 families, Sapunaoa – 6 families,
Satalo – 7 families, Siumu – 11 families, Tafatafa – 5 families, Tafitoala – 13 families, Utulaelae – 11
families, Vaovai – 7 families, Lepuiai – 10 families, Apai – 4 families, Faleu – approximately 32
families.

Homeless

•

There are 39 people who are now homeless as a result of the tsunami. They are being

accommodated at Government Houses #55 and #61.

Damage

The revised estimate of damage to infrastructure, public and private properties is around SAT$380 million.

Buildings:

•

Preliminary assessment of damage to buildings has taken place and those in Apia CBD that were of
concern have been determined safe. However, significant damage has been sustained to residential
building stock and some hotels on the south-eastern coast.

•

Tourist accommodation facilities most affected include: Coconuts Beach Club, Resort and Spa,

Maninoa Surf Camp, Sinalei Reef Resort, Salani Surf Resort, Vavau Beach Bungalows, Seabreeze
Resort at Paradise Cove, Faofao Beach Fales, Taufua Beach Fales, Litia Sini Beach Resort,
Moatoga Resort and Nam’ua Beach Fales.

Electricity:

•

EPC report that all affected areas have been reconnected to electricity.

Telecommunications:

•

Phone and email access between Apia and the wider Samoa is functioning normally.

Hospitals/Medical Care Facilities:

•

New Zealand engineers inspected the main hospital yesterday.

Education

•

School buildings at Lalomanu, Ulutogia, Lotopue, Satitoa, Putasi and Falealili have been affected.
Three schools on the south-eastern side of Upolo have been destroyed. Children have been
relocated to other schools in the area.

Transport

Roads:
Land Transport Authority advises that all roads affected have been cleared and are planning for the
reconstruction of the roads. They are currently awaiting costs for the purposes of tendering the contracts for
roads reconstruction.

Airport:

•

The airport is fully operational.

Ports:

•

The Ministry of Works are awaiting the results of the damage assessment to Aleipata Wharf due to
today.

NEOC SITREP: 3
Date: 06/10/09
Event Name: Samoa Tsunami

NEOC SITREP 3

Weather
The weather forecast for the next seven days is mainly fine with light winds.

Response activities

Samoan Government and responding agencies

•

The Government of Samoa, Samoa Red Cross and national organisations continue to distribute
relief items, including food, water, clothing and tarpaulins. Food, water, shelter, clothing and
sanitation continue to be relief priorities. As well as water storage, food storage, cutleries, and
building materials. A number of international organisations are supporting humanitarian relief and
early recovery activities.

•

A comprehensive multi-sector assessment will not take place as much information has already been
collected. Instead, Health Cluster Lead WHO will support the authorities in collating health data that
was collected in the first response phase. The WASH Cluster will continue to work with the Ministry
of Health counterparts in on-going operations and assessments, as will the Education Cluster. The
outcome of these initial assessments is expected by Wednesday.

•

The Early Recovery Cluster is conducting an inter-agency assessment focusing on recovery of
livelihoods, agriculture and reconstruction and livelihoods with support of Protection agencies.

•

The Samoa Red Cross is undertaking an assessment of the situation on Manono island. The New
Zealand Government will facilitate a helicopter access to Manono today.

•

Search and Rescue are continuing to search for the remaining missing people.

Relief supplies/Financial assistance

•

Red Cross relief distributions have included shelter and bedding, water, clothing, hygiene and

personal care items.

•

Two bank accounts have been established by the Ministry of Finance for lodgement of financial

donations.

Financial donations by existing Samoa Government partners may make contributions to the following
account:

Company donations – existing Samoa Government partners

Bank name: ANZ (Samoa) Ltd
Bank account name: Treasury Direct Transfer Account
Account number: 1200033
Bank swift code: ANZBWSWW
Bank address: ANZ (Samoa) Ltd, Apia, Samoa

Individual donations – private individuals and businesses

2009 Samoa Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Account
Account number: 3826921
ANZ

Health

Hospitals/Medical Care Facilities:

•

The majority of presentations for medical assistance are for wound infections and chest infections
(seawater aspiration). Priority attention has been given to wound cleaning and application of tetanus
texoid immunization and giving antibiotics, in an effort to minimise effects on the survivors.

•

More serious wound infections and chest infections due to aspirations have been admitted to the

TTM Hospital and are receiving surgery and other medical attention.

•

Mobile medical teams are assessing those in isolated areas that do not have easy access to medical
facilities.

NEOC SITREP: 3
Date: 06/10/09
Event Name: Samoa Tsunami

NEOC SITREP 3

•

The community nurses continue their outreach assessments and have been supplemented with the
combined health teams to ensure those needing assistance are reached.

•

Psychosocial support for the men is needed and evident in Sapunaoa and Matautu Aleipata, and

inland Saleapaga.

•

The Ministry of Health report that they are coping well with the assistance of medical personnel

overseas and volunteer workers locally whom have been deployed to the affected areas.

Sanitation

•

Health reports indicate improved access to sanitation facilities is required immediately in some areas
(Iliili, Matautu, Satalo, Sapunaoa, Salesatele, Salani, Tafatafa)

•

Stagnant water has accumulated in some areas such as Iiliili so vector bourne diseases may occur if
these areas are not cleaned properly.

•

Areas such as Matautu, Sapunaoa and beachside residences along the main road of Lotofaga,

Maatufu and Sapo’e require mosquito nets, portaloos with maintenance support or pit latrine building
assistance. Soap is not readily available in these areas.

•

The Samoa Water Authority is checking tanks at Mt Vaea and Toomatagi as these may have been
affected in the earthquake.

Water

•

Water supply to Manono Island has been restored by the Samoa Water Authority with the assistance
of the NZ Navy Dive team.

•

Water supply has been reconnected to all affected sites except for Vaovai and Falealili.

•

Supply of pipe is urgently required.

Engineering

•

Two structural engineers arrived in Apia from New Zealand on 2 October 2009. They have

conducted rapid assessments of the following buildings in Apia: Government Building, Development
Bank of Samoa, Samoa National Health Services, John Williams Building, Poutasi Hospital. They
have reaffirmed local opinions on these buildings and all have now been cleared for occupation.

•

The Afulilo Hydro Dam has also been subject to a rapid assessment at the request of EPC.

•

Today, tools such as hammers, axes, shovels, nails and wheelbarrows have been dispatched to

affected sites to assist in rebuilding affected homes.

•

A building project will be established to provide a thorough assessment of the building materials that
will be required to rebuild. This will be conducted with the assistance of relevant government
ministries.

Travel

•

Air New Zealand and Polynesian Blue have announced increased capacity and discounted airfares
for travel to Samoa.

•

The Samoa Tourism Authority is working in close collaboration with core Government Ministries, the
Hotel Industry, the Airlines and the Resident Missions to assist tourists that were affected, through
provision of basic supplies, accommodation and speedy evacuation processes.

NEOC SITREP: 3
Date: 06/10/09
Event Name: Samoa Tsunami