Situation Report – 10/9/09

PEOPLE AFFECTED / The Red Cross[1]estimates that approximately 30,000 people have been affected (approx 17% of Samoa’s population). Unofficial Govt of Samoa (GOS) reports estimate that approx 1000 families are displaced.[2]
ONZ Response Coordinator (NZ):
+64 9 355 6508 or +64 21 511 330
ONZ Media Officer (Samoa):
+685 771 9005 (Samoa) +64 21 720 546 (NZ)
ONZ Humanitarian Manager (Samoa):
+685 771 7849 (Samoa)
+88162146367 (sat phone)
PARTNERS / Women in Business Development
Director: Adimaimalaga Tafunai
Ph +685-21959
Mob +658-770 3230

Key Issues

  • UN cluster system has been activated is Samoa; Oxfam is co-leading the WASH cluster with UNICEF and WIBDI has joined the Early Recovery cluster, lead by UNDP.
  • Official report is 142 confirmed dead in Samoa, with 335 casualties and 7 people missing. Approximately 3500 people are living in temporary shelter, with many more staying with friends or family.[3]
  • 31 confirmed dead in America Samoa, and 9 in Tonga.
  • Assessments, including WASH, Livelihoods, and Early Recovery, are continuing, expected to be completed Friday 8 October (Samoa time)
  • The government is now moving from a disaster relief response to a recovery phase. Priority issues are still recovery of livelihoods and rehabilitation of water systems.

General Humanitarian Situation

Understanding of the tsunami’s damage is now more precise: some villages have been decimated (e.g. Saerperage, Lalomanu), while other villages were partially destroyed (e.g. Vailoa, Lepa – PM Tuilaepa’s village)[4].The area is small but very significant for the economy of the area. Many of the affected families’ income depended on the tourist sector.Only limited damage has been caused to crops and livestock.

The search and rescue phase is still being carried out by the GOS with the support of national and international agencies, including Police and medical teams from NZ and Australia. Some relief aid has been delivered, mainly by:

  • the government
  • family members living in none-affected areas
  • and the Red Cross.

GOS appears to having been relatively efficient if re-establishing some of the basic infrastructure damaged (water, electricity, communications) Roads were also quickly freed from debris and are all open even if many part are damaged.

The coping mechanism of the communities and the Matai system appear to have been at this stage the best asset of the response. Affected families quickly found support in the community by other family members or neighbours.

Affected population are still in shock and many families are mourning family members.Psycho-social support to those families has already been identified by the GOS as one of the main priority needs. The government requested that Sunday be observed, and not to do any work in the field, and has declared Thursday 8 October as official day of mourning, a national holiday.

General Political Context

  • Samoa has officially downgraded the situation from a disaster to an emergency. The government estimates damage to infrastructure, public and private properties is around SAT$380million (approx NZ$195 million).
  • The NDMO and Ministry of Natural Resources are managing the response.

General Context

  • Assessments are still underway – Oxfam is participating in WASH and Early Recovery, and partner WIBDI is participating in the Food Security assessment, lead by FAO (this is part of the Early Recovery cluster assessment)
  • Formal assessments for these sectors are expected to be completed by Friday in Samoa.
  • Next IASC general coordination meeting is at Friday 0830hr Samoa time, at UNDP office.

Program with partners:

  • ONZ’s partner WIBDI has had two teams working directly with the National Emergency Operation Centre distributing emergency supplies to the disaster area.
  • WIBDI are still participating in assessments (food security) as part of Early Recovery cluster.
  • WIBDI are collecting good data on affected families from their existing programme, and data from their distributions, including the most vulnerable people.
  • WIBDI is already working on planting seedlings for distribution to families once the rehabilitation process begins.
  • ONZ has begun developing livelihood recovery plans with WIBDI for the next 6-12 months.

Program directly implemented by Oxfam affiliates:

  • Based on assessments and in coordination with other actors, ONZ is expected to design a short-term WASH response, likely followed by a long term livelihoods recovery.
  • It is likely that during phase one Oxfam will focus on ensuring immediate wat/san needs are met, and then in coordination with government, support local capacity to rehabilitate wat/san infrastructure.
  • Oxfam will work in coordination with other agencies to ensure that immediate health and sanitation needs are met, paying particular attention to the needs of women, during the initial response and NFI distribution.
  • Oxfam may seek to advocate for the particular needs and concerns of women and girls, and other vulnerable groups including the disabled.

Beneficiary numbers

  • Awaiting final figures; estimated Oxfam response will reach at least 3000 displaced people.

Program with partners:

  • WIBDI have a Disaster Management (DM) officer and office space in Apia and Savaii. They have four vehicles in use for their livelihoods programme.

Program directly implemented by Oxfam affiliates:

  • Office space has been made available at WHO for UNICEF and Oxfam will also have access to space there.ONZ team in Samoa have a satphone and local sim cards, as well as camera and video equipment.It is likely that most supplies and equipment for the response will be available for procurement in Apia.

Communications

  • ONZ Comms team continue to workon media releases. ONZ Media Office in Samoa has undertaken a number of interviews with New Zealand and international media.
  • Media coverage is still very high – all main media outlets still have people on the ground.
  • Photographs and stories from Samoa are being published on the ONZ website, and are generating media interest.

Fundraising

  • Public fundraising is including mail & email appeals to supporters, direct approaches to major donors, retail partnerships, public mobilisation and website partnerships. Some funding grants have been received from major donors.
  • ONZ submitted an application for the special HAF funding from NZAID on Wednesday 7 October (NZ time). Application will be considered on Thursday 8 October, and applicants will be notified of the decision the same day.

Human Resources

  • Renzo Benfatto (Humanitarian Manager) is departing Apia today.
  • Dolores Devesi, ONZ Pacific Programme Manager, is flying to Apia tomorrow to take up the Response Coordination role for the next two weeks.
  • Oxfam is currently finalising positions and job descriptions for the next 3 – 6 months, and is also looking to support WIBDI with any temporary roles that may be required over the next 3 – 12 months.

Finance and Administration

  • ONZ has assigned a special bank account for Samoa emergency funds
  • ONZ has sent additional response funding to partner WIBDI today.
  • ONZ will support WIBDI in financial management for response in short term, but needs to consider in-country role for management of finance and administration.

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[1] The Red Cross Emergency appeal, dated on 4 October 2009.

[2]OCHA sitrep #4 states 15,000 affected, previous unofficial GOS estimates were 32,000.

[3]NZAID sitrep #23

[4]NZAID sitrep #23