Samoa/Tonga
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Tsunami
Situation Report No. 7
Date: 8 October
This report was issued by OCHA New York, with inputs from OCHA Fiji and the OCHA Regional Office for Asia
and the Pacific. It covers the period from 6 a.m. on 5 October to 7 p.m. on 7 October. The next report will issued
around 10 October.
Samoa
The death toll in Samoa is now 138. Six people are still missing. A total of 619 patients have been treated at
various hospitals. The majority of deaths occurred in the Aleipata district. On 2 October, the Government of
Samoa declared a State of Emergency that will remain in force for 30 days. Government agencies,
emergency services, Red Cross, I/NGOs, United Nations agencies, and civil and religious groups are
responding to the needs identified in various sectors. The National Emergency Operations Centre was
established at the Feleata Fire Station and is the central control point for the response operation. Extensive
damage and impact occurred to the south-eastern coast of Upolu Island. Assessments by the Samoan Red
Cross (SRC) indicate that 40 villages have been affected along the south-eastern coast, with 20 villages
completely destroyed by tsunami waves.
Approximately 3,200 people (640 families) are homeless. People are living in makeshift shelters in their
gardens on higher grounds and with host families. Some families are building semi-permanent houses at the
evacuated sites. A clean-up process has already begun and is continuing. The Government estimated the
cost of damage to infrastructure, public and private properties as Samoan tala 380 million (approximately
US$150 million).
The Government announced the start of the early-recovery phase. Emergency operations are still ongoing. A
national memorial service will be held on 8 October at the Apia Park Stadium. The Government has declared
that day a National Mourning Day for the entire country.
Tonga
Nine deaths have been reported, with 465 people affected and more than 300 people homeless on the island
of Niuatoputapu. It was reported that 79 out of 228 houses on the island have been destroyed. An additional
56 houses were damaged but considered repairable.
The response is now moving to the early-recovery phase. The Tonga Red Cross (TRC) reports that aid
distribution is near completion and that the quantity of donated goods is sufficient. Attention is now turning to
reconstruction of key infrastructure.
A Government assessment mission commenced on 7 October to identify early-recovery needs. The State of
Emergency is expected to be lifted on 12 October. A non-Government assessment mission took place on
8 October. The results will provide a clearer picture of the needs and gaps. At this stage, the priority areas for
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
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The death toll in Samoa is 138. Six people are still missing.
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Approximately 3,200 people (640 families) are homeless.
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The Government of Samoa announced the start of the early-recovery phase.
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An early-recovery assessment was conducted in Samoa. Results will be submitted to the
Government next week.
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A national memorial service will be held on 8 October in Samoa. The day has been declared
a National Mourning Day.
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In Samoa, additional emergency shelters are required until a durable solution is identified.
Displaced people want to resettle away from the shoreline, but are concerned about the lack
of access to public services and facilities.
II. Situation Overview
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early-recovery activities are likely to include WASH, shelter, health infrastructure, psychosocial support and
fishing.
The coordination of humanitarian activities has been managed by the Government, supported by the FRANZ
collaboration mechanism. This is an arrangement with Australia, New Zealand and France to respond to
disasters in the Pacific.
Initial Assessment
Samoa
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At the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) meeting, it was agreed that an IASC multi-sectoral
assessment is not required as sufficient information is already collected or sectoral assessments are
ongoing. Therefore, each cluster will collate, summarize and analyze the data currently available. This
does not include the early-recovery cluster, as it requires further information to formulate a
comprehensive early-recovery framework.
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The early-recovery cluster conducted a two-day socio-economic impact assessment on 6 and 7 October
in 19 affected villages. Details are described in the early-recovery section below.
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A three-day early environmental assessment of all affected villages undertaken by the environment sub-
group of the early-recovery cluster (UNEP, UNESCO, UNDP, the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment, and Conservation International) ended on 7 October. The results will be integrated into the
early-recovery framework.
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The Samoa Red Cross (SRC) conducted an assessment on Manono island and identified that basic relief
items are needed. The water supply has been re-established by fixing the main pipes. Shelter needs were
not reported as the displaced were accommodated by host families.
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The Australian Fire Department’s Search and Rescue team has completed its mission in Samoa and
returned home.
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Police Specialist Search Teams, with personnel from the Samoan Police and New Zealand Defense
Force (NZDF), carried out further searches on 7 October along the south coast. They will be deployed to
Siumu on 8 October.
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NZDF conducted flyovers and revealed a limited number of people living in the open space.
Tonga
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Reconstruction needs are being identified by an assessment team deployed by the Government of Tonga
on 7 October and an international contingent deployed on 8 October.
Logistics
Samoa
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The Electric Power Corporation reported that all affected areas have been reconnected to electricity.
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The Land Transport Authority advised that all affected roads have been cleared and road reconstruction
is being planned. The airport is fully operational.
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The damage assessment of Aleipata wharf has been conducted.
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A logistics cluster has been activated and will list the organizations recognized by the National Disaster
Council (NDC) in order to provide preferential treatment for customs clearance. In addition, customs will
clarify 30-day limits for concessionary customs rights.
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The logistics cluster will also formulate a simple data-entry system for goods in the pipeline.
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World Bank has offered support in rehabilitating the transport sector.
Tonga
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The chief pilot of Chathams Pacific, who has made several trips to Niuatoputapu, has advised that the
runway is serviceable up to 1,000 metres.
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The Tonga army has 43 personnel on the ground assisting the initial distribution phase. They will
temporarily remain on location to assist with the clean up.
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Main roads have been cleared.
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The Tonga Communications Corporation is working to restore Niuatoputapu’s satellite link.
III. Humanitarian Needs and Response
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Emergency Shelter
Samoa
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Additional emergency shelters might be required as a temporary measure until a durable solution is
identified, especially for those accommodated in public spaces, such as schools. The displaced persons
need to be relocated due to schools opening.
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The Samoa Victim Support Group is sheltering a number of tsunami victims who lost their homes.
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Habitat for Humanity will support the Government in building disaster-resistant housing for 1,000 to 1,500
families, depending on the availability of funds.
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World Bank has offered support for housing rehabilitation.
Tonga
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The displaced population in Niuatoputapu is being housed in the local school, and provided with tents and
tarpaulins. TRC reported that the existing resources should be sufficient to cater for the displaced
population’s immediate needs.
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Australia’s immediate response included the provision of tents.
Education
Samoa
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Three schools on the south-eastern side of Upolo have been destroyed. School buildings in Lalomanu,
Ulutogia, Lotopue, Satitoa, Putasi and Falealili have been affected.
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Although some relocated schools re-opened on 5 October, some children interviewed by the early-
recovery assessment team said they did not want to return to school because they were still afraid of the
disaster. This observation reconfirmed the need for psycho-social support, especially for children.
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Children in some villages where schools were destroyed are now walking for an hour to reach their
nearest school. Some schools are located approximately 4 kilometres from villages. Transport is an issue
and needs attention.
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In other villages, families were not aware that schools have restarted; children remained in the camping
areas.
Emergency Telecoms
Samoa
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Phone and e-mail access between Apia and wider Samoa is functioning normally.
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Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF) left Samoa on 7 October.
Food and Nutrition
Samoa
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Food has been distributed by the Government, SRC, NGOs and the community.
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The Ministry of Health (MoH), UNICEF and WHO are considering a food basket-monitoring survey to gain
an update on the food and nutrition situation.
Health
Samoa
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The majority of medical assistance provided at the hospitals/clinics in the affected areas is currently for
wound infections, scabies and respiratory infections.
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Three tsunami victims were evacuated on 7 October by Carrier Hercules to New Zealand for further
assessment and necessary operation.
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The Health Cluster emphasized that psycho-social aspects of the affected population require further
attention and coordination, especially for counseling services. The MoH operates a 24/7 telephone
support service in addition to deploying counseling team to the fields. Samoan NGOs are also sending
counseling teams to the affected areas, while church groups are also providing counseling.
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A Child Protection and Emergency Specialist conducted a counseling training session for volunteers and
organizations. It was coordinated by the MoH and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social
Development.
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UNFPA has dispatched 200 Dignity Kits and 17 cartons of sanitary pads. An additional 1,550 Dignity Kits
will be sent to Samoa on 9 October.
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The Later Day Saint Church and SRC are also preparing for the distribution of hygiene kits.
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MSF is assessing if there are gaps in Health and WASH sectors.
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An Australian medical team, which has been providing support to three clinics in the affected areas, is
scheduled to depart on 7 October. The work will be handed over to a New Zealand medical team.
Protection
Samoa
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The protection cluster distributed the IASC Code of Conduct to humanitarian actors and reminded all
clusters to adhere to this.
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On relocation, most feedback from those interviewed during the early-recovery assessment indicated that
they preferred to resettle in locations away from the shoreline. Generally, people are afraid to return to the
shoreline. They are also concerned about access to services such as water, electricity, transport and road
access. As the Government develops relocation plans, it is important to ensure that the population is
informed about the provision of services in the resettlement sites so that the population can make
informed decisions about their resettlement.
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On rebuilding livelihoods, the first day of the assessment showed that special care needs to be taken to
consult with women on their options.
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Children in camping areas did not appear to have many activities; support in providing child recreation
may be needed.
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Registration of separated and unaccompanied children is an issue. UNESCO and UNICEF are working
with the Samoa Victim Support Group to address this.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Samoa
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Access to water remains an issue. Although water distribution is ongoing, water trucks are urgently
needed to cater water to the affected population. The WASH cluster will support mobilizing resources.
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Sanitation is a serious concern as many sanitary facilities were damaged by the tsunami. A quick
provision of sanitary facilities is needed.
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New Zealand supported the replacement of a water pipe to Namu’a island, sourced locally and paid for by
a local business.
Early Recovery
Samoa
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The Government announced the move into the early recovery phase.
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A two-day socio-economic impact assessment commenced in 19 affected villages on 6 and 7
October. The socio-economic assessment is co-led by UNDP, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the
Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, with additional support from the Ministry of
Finance and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Teams comprised technical
representatives from New Zealand; Australia; Asian Development Bank; Samoa Hotels Association;
Samoa Housing Corporation; Samoa Umbrella for NGOs; OXFAM; ACT for Peace; UNISDR; UNDP; and
OHCHR.
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The assessment focused on livelihoods, local economic recovery and resettlement, with focus on access
to basic social services including water, electricity, sanitary facilities, health and education.
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An early-recovery framework will be developed based on the assessment’s findings. It will be submitted to
the Government on 12 October. It will also include recovery requirements from other clusters.
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The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and FAO have commenced an agriculture and fisheries survey.
The results will feed into the early-recovery framework.
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Initial reports stressed that the issue of the resettlement of affected populations needs special attention in
terms of infrastructure and provision of social services. Most people have begun rebuilding traditional
houses as temporary housing, while more permanent structures will be built later.
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Heads of some villages agreed to relocate their entire village to the land in the interior higher areas.
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FAO is the co-lead for the Agriculture and Fisheries Working Group under the early recovery cluster.
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Tonga
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The Tongan Cabinet is considering the relocation of the village of Hihifo to higher ground.
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The Government is concerned with the early-warning system and is seeking to improve the system for
future action.
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While the results of the assessment missions will provide clearer guidance, at this stage priority areas for
early-recovery activities are likely to include WASH, shelter, health infrastructure, psychosocial support
and fishing.
Tonga
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The FRANZ team has been formally released from the relief phase as the operation moves to the
recovery and reconstruction phase.
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In the medium term, coordination will be undertaken by the Ministry of Works.
Samoa
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Two bank accounts have been established by the Ministry of Finance for financial donations.
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The three-hour mini-telethon on TVNZ's Good Morning, which was broadcast on 7 October, raised more
than NZ$100,000 (approximately $73,500) for the tsunami victims.
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The Samoan Government encouraged donors to provide cash assistance rather than in-kind assistance.
Tonga
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On 3 October, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs announced an AUS$1 million package of support
(approximately $874,000) to help relief and recovery efforts in Niuatoputapu. So far, AusAID has provided
medical professionals, tents, marquees, generators and lighting.
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NZAID has provided family emergency packs, a generator and a disaster-management expert to the
National Disaster Management Office.
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UNDP has mobilized $50,000 for establishing early-recovery frameworks in Niuatoputapu. It has also
indicated that a further $250,000 can be made available, if required.
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France has provided medical supplies, food, water, ocean and air transport, and 14 disaster-relief
personnel.
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The people of Tonga have also contributed generously to the provision of relief materials for the affected
population.
All humanitarian partners, including donors and recipient agencies, are encouraged to inform the Financial
Tracking Service of cash and in-kind contributions by sending an email to: fts@reliefweb.int
OCHA Pacific: Mr. Peter Muller, Regional Disaster Response Adviser
Email: peter.muller@undp.org Tel: +679-331 6761, Mobile: +679 999 1664
OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific: Ms. Yindee Lertcharoenchok, Humanitarian Affairs Analyst
(Disaster Response), Email: lertcharoenchok@un.org Tel: +66 (0) 2288 2437
OCHA New York: Ms. Akiko Yoshida, Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Email: yoshidaa@un.org Tel: +1 212 963 1149
IV. Coordination
V. Funding
VI. Contact