Samoa/Tonga
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Tsunami
Situation Report No. 10
Date: 16 October 2009
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 13 to 15 October. The next report will be issued around 22 October.
Samoa
The official death toll stands at 143, with five missing and 310 injured. The combined data from the Ministry of
Health (MoH) and Red Cross assessments suggests that approximately 4,500 people have been directly
affected by the tsunami, most of who are displaced. However, this figure is assumed to be the lower estimate
since the assessment information compilation is still ongoing. According to the draft Early Recovery
Framework, the affected population is estimated at 5,275 people, based on the 2006 population census. The
National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) continues to deliver relief items to the affected population. The
New Zealand navy’s vessel HMNZS Canterbury arrived in Apia from Tonga on the morning of 15 October with
reconstruction and relief materials. The early-recovery cluster team presented a draft Early Recovery
Framework to the Government on 15 October.
Tonga
Nine people died and seven were seriously injured as a result of the tsunami that struck the northern island of
Niuatoputapu. The Government estimates the total cost of damage as Tonga pa’anga 18.2 million
(approximately US$9.5 million). It was reported that 89 out of 225 houses on the island were totally destroyed
and 56 were damaged. Most Government buildings were destroyed with serious damage to the Hihifo primary
school. Most students lost books and stationery. Water and sanitation systems are seriously damaged, while
eight fishing boats, the Fisheries office and an ice-making plant were destroyed. Two churches and five
community halls were seriously damaged.
Initial Assessment
Samoa
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The International Tsunami Survey Team has started its consultation in Apia. Its primary focus is on the
run-up and inundation measurement and assessment of building damage type and severity; the impacts
and effects on the natural environment, ecosystems and agriculture; the geology of the tsunami; and the
tsunami’s social and human impacts.
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World Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific are
conducting a Damage and Loss Assessment (DALA). This is being carried out with support from partner
agencies and working with the Government. The DALA will be completed within two weeks.
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A rapid environmental impact and needs assessment report has been finalized. The technical
recommendations for marine and terrestrial habitat recovery have informed the Early Recovery
Framework.
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
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The death toll in Samoa is 143. Five people are still missing.
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Nine deaths were reported in Tonga.
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An Early Recovery Framework was submitted to the Government of Samoa on 15 October.
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As the rainy season will soon begin in Samoa, the need for transitional shelters or semi-
permanent housing will become more apparent.
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HMNZS Canterbury arrived in Apia, Samoa, from Tonga on 15 October, carrying various
relief items and reconstruction equipment.
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While distribution of relief items continues, early-recovery activities are well underway.
II. Situation Overview
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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Tonga
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Seven New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) engineers, who all travelled on the HMNZS Canterbury,
surveyed needs. They focused on water, sanitation, electricity and testing the integrity of the jetty and
airstrip. They will remain on Niuatoputapu until HMNZS Canterbury returns from Apia.
Logistics
Samoa
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The Land Transport Authority reports that affected roads have been cleared and repaired with the support
of 12 contracting companies.
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HMNZS Canterbury arrived in Apia on the morning of 15 October and unloaded cargo. It is expected to
depart at 5 p.m. on Saturday 17 October (Samoa time) to continue with the relief effort in Niuatoputapu. It
will return to Samoa several days later to embark the bulk of the NZDF contingent and equipment for their
return to New Zealand.
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This week, the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) will install a nine-kilometre line of high voltage for
families clustered around the affected areas. All requests should go directly to EPC.
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A shipping schedule was circulated at the logistics cluster meeting. It is available on the Pacific Disaster
Net website under ‘Cluster Activities – Logistics – Apia Port Schedule’.
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The logistics cluster has advised there is a risk of the large quantities of unsolicited aid creating a
bottleneck upon receipt in-country. It was suggested that the National Disaster Management Office
(NDMO) ask local shipping agents and local companies to assist with a distribution network for the
unsolicited aid.
Tonga
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HMNZS Canterbury has been conducting helicopter operations off Niuatoputapu. A Tongan patrol boat
has ferried passengers and supplies ashore. Tongan Defense Services has supervised distribution of
goods.
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An 11-person New Zealand team cleared large quantities of rubble and wreckage alongside the Tongan
Defence Service and with good support from community members.
Emergency Shelter
Samoa
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The Samoa Red Cross Society has distributed 1,147 tarpaulins and 46 tents as of 10 October. They were
complemented by building tools.
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There are no significant gaps regarding the provision of emergency shelters in the form of tarpaulins and
tents. However, as the rainy season begins late October in Samoa, the need for transitional shelters will
become more apparent until semi-permanent/permanent housing is constructed.
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Caritas presented a proposal to the Government on the type of housing it intends to build. Caritas
announced it will build at least 50 houses of a simple structure at an average cost of Samoa tala 20,000
per house (approximately $8,300). To agree upon a standardized housing design, Caritas will urgently
consult with other partners involved in semi-permanent/permanent housing.
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As requested by the Government, HMNZS Canterbury delivered 540 housing poles; telephone poles;
plumbing; electrical supplies; and water piping. The 13 containers of goods donated by the New Zealand
community intended for specific villages will be customs cleared at the port and delivered to villages.
Tonga
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Basic shelter and sanitation requirements on Niuatoputapu appear to have been met.
Non-Food Items (NFIs)
Samoa
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On 17 October, World Vision will provide another consignment of NFIs (400 solar-powered lamps and
120 solar-powered radios).
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Samoa Red Cross continues its NFI distribution, which includes bedding; clothing; WASH items; water;
food; and cooking utensils. Distribution up to 11 October includes delivery to 40 locations, including
support for families relocated in Apia, Manono Island, and families in damaged villages or supported in
neighbouring villages in the affected areas.
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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The Disaster Management Office has continued to distribute building and gardening tools; food and water
storage containers; water tanks; lamps; mosquito nets; building materials; cooking utensils; cooking
stoves; transistor radios; tables and chairs; bedding; and school furniture.
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The United States is sending relief donations by air including donations from the Samoan Community in
the United States.
Education
Samoa
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Higher Grade 8 students resumed schooling in the neighbouring host schools on 14 October. It is
expected that all lower-grade students will resume schooling on 19 October.
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The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC) and the MoH are conducting health, water and
sanitation assessments of schools in the affected areas to ensure the environment is safe for children to
return.
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The Government has committed education support including tents, water tanks and school supplies to the
affected schools. Education cluster members are committed to fill needs gaps such as school furniture,
first aid kits, latrines, water tanks and tents. The Disaster Management Office has already provided water
tanks and tents to schools that are expanding to accommodate students from schools destroyed by the
tsunami. MESC is providing stationery resources, plumbing and maintenance support, as well as
assistance with transportation to relocated students through the use of hired vehicles. Identified gaps in
resources include desks and chairs, water tanks, tents, first aid kits and portable sanitation units.
MESC intends to submit a proposal for donor agencies and cluster partners to collectively determine a
course of action.
Tonga
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United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has offered to support the request for school materials for
$5,000, either through cash or in-kind through School in a Box kits. These kits are available for rapid
deployment from the UNICEF stockpile in Fiji.
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UNICEF could also provide technical assistance for enhanced, child-friendly classroom designs, which
are also more resilient to natural disasters. This is yet to be discussed with the Government.
Emergency Telecommunications
Tonga
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In addition to landlines, cell-phone communications have now been re-established on Niuatoputapu.
Food and Nutrition
Samoa
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MoH is monitoring the nutritional status of the affected population.
Health
Samoa
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MOH is working on prevention programmes around disease outbreaks.
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MOH completed the needs assessments of affected areas. The assessment report will possibly be ready
by next week.
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The Government of New Zealand advises that, according to New Zealand medical staff in Samoa,
tsunami-related medical cases are decreasing. Most patients are presenting with wounds requiring
additional care, or aspiration pneumonia and primary-care injuries associated with displacement and
hazardous conditions around affected areas. These include children accidentally stepping on nails;
dehydration; lacerations from corrugated iron or debris; and scabies and conditions arising from tent or
tarpaulin/shelter dwellings.
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There are currently 20 New Zealand medical personnel working in Samoa. Planning continues to focus
on the transition from support being provided by New Zealand to a resumption of normal service by
Samoan health providers, supplemented as needed by support from New Zealand.
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Last week, more than 50 community support volunteers were trained by Save the Children and UNICEF
on psycho-social support. These volunteers are now providing psycho-social support in affected villages.
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.
4
Tonga
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A three-person NZDF medical team is still in Niuatoputapu to make house calls, provide health advice
and assist the island's senior nurse.
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WHO has offered a vehicle for the MoH in Niuatoputapu.
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The Government of Tonga is working on a recovery plan for the health sector’s long-term recovery needs.
Protection
Samoa
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UNICEF and Save the Children are providing psycho-social support through the distribution of
recreational kits and early-learning kits, along with briefings to promote the use of structured play and
child-friendly activities to promote children’s recovery. These kits are provided to the schools and
community groups to organize child-friendly activities in buildings such as churches and schools.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Samoa
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Sanitation remains a concern. The Government will hold a meeting specifically on sanitation issues on
15 October. The Samoa Water Authority (SWA) has provided pit latrines, which has helped to relieve the
pressure on portable toilets. SWA is investigating a new water source that it has discovered from Mt.
Lanutolo.
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SWA reports that all areas affected along the coastal area from Lepa to Saleaumua are reconnected to
water supply. However, some quality and quantity issues remain, which SWA is investigating.
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A trucking water distribution operation is in place with a capacity for 5,000 litres per truck to service the
affected population’s needs, including families and schools. This is being coordinated by SWA and
supported by Oxfam New Zealand, IFRC and UNICEF. Five trucks are currently delivering approximately
50 to 60 cubic metres of water per day.
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Engineers Without Borders is assisting SWA with water-supply designs.
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Oxfam has provided two 5,000-litre bladders for the trucking water distribution operation. Oxfam has also
allocated Samoan tala 30,000 (approximately $12,500) for the purchase of pipes and fittings for the
distribution networks.
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IFRC ordered 54 water tanks. IFRC met with SWA and Oxfam on 15 October to finalize a plan for
additional water tank distribution. The plan will focus on the area from Lalomanu to Saleamua (inland
families), and provide communal drinking water with 1,000-litre tanks for individual households that are
positioned away from the communal supply.
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The Government of New Zealand reported that pressure in the submarine water main to Manono Island is
inadequate and will need to be repaired.
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UNICEF is exploring the use of engineers from RedR to support SWA in constructing and renovating
damaged and new water systems.
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SWA ensures safe drinking water through water trucking operations. If needed, the EU could provide
resources for an additional truck. This will provide water for at least six weeks. While doing so, rain-water
harvesting options will be integrated into the plan.
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Oxfam and Samoa Red Cross are mobilizing the public for effective water resource management and
conservation through house-to-house visits, and the mobilization of media, information and education
communication materials.
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Oxfam, UNICEF, EU and Adventist Development and Relief Agency will support ensured access to
WASH facilities in affected schools in collaboration and close coordination with MoH.
Tonga
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The water supply is improving with the arrival of the Red Cross desalination unit and an engineer to assist
with filling water tanks with drinking water. NZDF is also assisting with transporting water to the various
village tanks.
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A 14-person New Zealand team was in Niuatoputapu on 15 October for manual clearance. The team has
filled and covered 21 septic tanks in Hihifo where effluent was exposed. Four more tanks will be tackled
on 16 October. Spraying to control disease outbreaks has been carried out. The health authorities are
preventing people from entering Hihifo.
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UNICEF has offered to provide cash inputs to cover the water supply needs for pump repair ($20,000)
and support the desalination of plant operations ($2,000).
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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Early Recovery
Samoa
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The Inter-Agency Standing Committee meeting was held on 14 October to review and receive feedback
from other partners on the draft Early Recovery Framework. The final draft was presented to the
Government on 15 October.
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The total affected population has been estimated at 5,275 out of a population of 12,403 in the affected
districts. The Early Recovery Framework has presented various options to the Government at the
Disaster Management Council meeting. These options will focus on the relative costs and benefits of
resettling all, some, or none of the affected population in the various affected zones.
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The Government commented on the report’s timeliness and will consider the options. The Government
will consult further with international development organizations as a next step.
Tonga
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The Government of Tonga has estimated the cost for long-term rehabilitation to be Tonga pa’anga
14,545,000 (approximately $7.7 million).
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The United Nations Development Programme has donated a fishing boat and two engines.
Samoa
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Clusters are operational and planning their response and recovery actions with their Government
counterparts.
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The Government has taken the lead on health and WASH clusters, now renamed as Water Sector Post-
tsunami Support. The groups are organized and chaired by the Government.
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Cluster/sector information, meeting minutes, maps, assessments and post-disaster aerial imagery are
available on the website on Pacific Disaster Net: http://www.pacificdisaster.net:8080/Plone/samoa-
tsunami
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The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management advisor, who was embedded in the NDMO,
has completed the mission and returned home.
Tonga
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An emergency management specialist from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency
Management is still working closely with the NDMO in Tonga. This arrangement will continue for the next
few days.
All humanitarian partners, including donors and recipient agencies, are encouraged to inform FTS 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