Samoa/Tonga Tsunami Update 3

Additional information about the effects of the tsunami have been reported in OCHA's Situation Report(SITREP)#6.

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

- A powerful earthquake struck the south of the main Samoan Island chain on 29 September. A series of quake-triggered tsunami waves that followed hit American Samoa, Samoa, and the small northern island of Niuatoputapu in Tonga.

- Death toll in Samoa is 137, with 310 people injured and six still missing.

- About 3,200 people (640 families) have been left homeless in Samoa.

- The Government of Samoa has downgraded the situation from a "State of Disaster" to a "State of Emergency".

- A national burial service for the victims will be held in Samoa on 8 October.

- Humanitarian response in both Samoa and Tonga is transitioning from relief to early recovery. Potable water continues to be the priority concern.

- In an all members state meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, the Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes briefed on Asia Pacific disasters including situations in Samoa and Tonga.

II. Situation Overview

In the morning of 29 September 2009, a powerful earthquake struck south of the main Samoan Island chain with its epicentre 190 kilometres south of the Samoan capital of Apia. Few minutes later, as warned by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, a series of quake-triggered tsunami waves hit American Samoa, Samoa and the small northern island of Niuatoputapu in Tonga. The tsunami waves, some of which are said to have been as high as 6 metres, caused fatalities, casualties and serious damage to the Pacific Island countries.

Samoa

The death toll in Samoa now stands at 137, with the majority of the victims being female, young or elderly. About 310 people were injured and treated in hospital, and six still missing. 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) have been left homeless. People are living in makeshift shelters in their gardens on higher grounds and with host families. The Government of Samoa (GoS) estimated the cost of damage to infrastructure, public and private properties at around Samoan tala 380 million (approximately US$ 150 million).

The relief effort is focussed in two locations: (1) the southern coast of Upolu, where the most significant damage was sustained, and (2) the small island of Manono, where infrastructure and water supply were damaged. The GoS, assisted by Australia and New Zealand, is repairing the water system.

Samoa has downgraded the situation from a state of "disaster" to an "emergency". Traditional community structures and the system of traditional leadership "matai" assisted greatly in the response, facilitating affected families to quickly find support from other family members or neighbours in the community.

A national burial and service for the victims will be held in Samoa on 8 October. So far, nine families have accepted the offer for burial in mass graves.

Tonga

A total of nine deaths have been reported, with 465 people affected and more than 300 people left homeless as a result of the tsunami that struck the island of Niuatoputapu. Eighty houses have been destroyed and an additional 56 houses were damaged although they were considered repairable.

The situation in Tonga appears to be stabilizing. The Tongan Red Cross (TRC) reported that the priority needs of survivors are water and shelter, and added that immediate relief needs of those affected would be met by existing resources.

While the "state of emergency" is still in effect, a government assessment mission planned to commence on 7 October will clarify whether the "state of emergency" can be lifted. The mission will also assess gaps in relief and identify early recovery needs. Potential gap areas are sanitation or other specialized needs such as women and children's health. The Government of Tonga (GoT) anticipates that they would know more about this subject within three to four days. Priority areas for early recovery activities are likely to be WASH, shelter, and health infrastructure, psychosocial support, and fishing.

Coordination of humanitarian activities has been ably managed by the Government supported by the FRANZ collaboration mechanism, which is an arrangement among Australia, New Zealand and France to respond to disasters in the Pacific. The UN Resident Coordinator, together with the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Mr. Jordan Ryan, are also in Tonga to support early recovery initiatives.

News reports can be found on Radio New Zealand International, TVNZ and on Relief Web.

APCEDI will continue to monitor this situation as more details become clear.
________________________________

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator

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