PACIFIC TSUNAMI SITREP XXV
Situation as at 2100 on 7 October
Samoa
•
The official death toll remains at 142 and 7 missing.
The last official
casualty number was 337, although some information from the Samoan
Government indicates that so far 619 people have been treated at various
hospitals.
•
The national memorial service organised by the National Council of
Churches will be held at 3pm on Thursday 8 October (Samoa time) at Apia Park
Stadium. The service is expected to take an hour. We understand 10 families with
deceased have so far agreed to be involved in the burial. After the service there
will be a procession to the burial grounds. Only family members and close family
friends are expected to participate in the procession.
•
The Samoan Government advises that all affected roads have now been
cleared with plans underway for reconstruction. All affected areas have been
reconnected to electricity. Two cruise ships are due to arrive in Samoa on
Thursday and Friday.
Assistance / New Zealand Action
•
NZ Navy divers were involved today in searching for bodies and obstacle
clearance along the South coast. The High Commission was able to arrange
replacement water pipe sourced locally and paid for by a local business for
Namu’a Island. NZDF will assist in the replacement of the water main. NZDF
will assist with the clean up in Manono tomorrow (accompanied by NDMO
representatives).
•
Police Specialist search teams with Samoan Police and NZDF personnel
carried out further searches today along the South coast. Search team will be
deployed to Siumu tomorrow morning.
•
Two more medical personnel have arrived in Samoa today (emergency
physician and emergency nurse). The combined MoH and DHB team in Samoa
currently consists of a mix of medical and nursing staff, surgical teams,
environmental health and public health specialists, psycho-social professionals,
plus health emergency managers and coordination staff.
•
The NZ Surgical team and nursing staff are to replace Australian teams
(one of which leaves today, the other on Thursday). Most common surgeries
include wound management and orthopedics.
•
There are other New Zealand health professionals in Samoa either part of
NGO organizations or working independently in their home villages.
•
NZAID participated in UNDAC’s two-day early reconstruction
assessment of affected areas. Most people interviewed stated that they had no
intention of living back on the coast. People from the village of Saleapaga, which
suffered overwhelming damage, have relocated in the hills along a 5km stretch of
road (estimated 500 people). The community has decided to build a new village
in the hills close to their gardens. The same story was heard from Lepa. A
community meeting involving the Prime Minister (Lepa is his village) was
apparently held on Saturday with the decision made to relocate to the hills above
Lepa. The Electricity Power Corporation (EPC) meanwhile has been instructed to
start installing power lines along the hill road.
Tonga
·
The official death toll remains at nine, with seven seriously injured.
•
The French team has been formally released from the relief phase as the
operation moves to the recovery and reconstruction phase.
Contacts
•
Emergency Management Disaster Response (EMDR) phone numbers for
all emergency-related enquiries are +64 21 469 243 or +64 21 244 1840, email is
emdr@nzaid.govt.nz
•
New Zealanders concerned about family members in Samoa should try to
make contact with them in the first instance. Those with ongoing concerns may
call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 04 439 8000, with as many
contact details as possible.
•
Offers of assistance should be referred to +64 4 439 8104 or +64 4 439
8618.
·
Additional information, including the latest travel advice for Samoa,
is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's safe travel website:
www.safetravel.govt.nz