ReliefWeb

Ref: OCHA/GVA -2005/0051
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Cook Islands and Tokelau
Tropical Cyclone Percy
Situation

1. The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams arrived in Samoa and met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator for an initial briefing on 5 March. The Team for the Cook Islands consists of three members, while the one for Tokelau of two members.

Cook Islands

2. The UNDAC team is to focus on the outer islands. The team will prepare a comprehensive report including assessments results carried out so far. A Mayoral Forum is scheduled for 14-18 April.

3. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports that residents of Pukapuka seem to have enough food and drinking water for about a week. Fresh water is apparently in short supply. About 80 per cent of houses have been destroyed on Pukapuka and roads have been washed out.

Tokelau (Nukunonu, Atafu and Fakaofo)

4. According to the Tokelauan authorities, initial assessments indicate damage to infrastructure across all three atolls, including seawalls, hospital facilities, schools, an office building and a meeting house. Debris is spread throughout the villages.

5. Tokelauan groups commenced the clean-up operation quickly and in a well-organized fashion to avoid health problems. Local people are currently boiling their water. In the short term, immediate needs for food, medical and shelter appear to have been provided for to a satisfactory level.

Nukunonu

6. An initial estimate indicates that approximately 80 per cent of the village was under water at some stage. Around 80 percent of the buildings sustained water or wind damage and at least five homes were severely damaged. Part of the village containing the hospital was isolated as access via bridge was hampered.

7. Food supplies have been badly affected with bulk storage facilities breached. Goods have been damaged by water or washed away. Some individual stores were destroyed.

8. Major damage to agricultural crops was observed.

9. The cyclone caused extensive damage on both of the side of the island facing the ocean, and on the interior side that surrounds the lagoon.

Atafu

10. Damage to septic tanks at the hospital and some homes poses a danger of diarrhoea outbreaks. Decomposition of fish and live shells in the village is also a health risk.

11. Power supply was cut off and no international telecommunication is available.

12. On the outer islet of Afau, severe damage was caused on crops.

13. Temporary shelters, used by recovering patients and school children, sustained some damage.

Fakaofo

14. No assessment has been received yet.

International Response

Cook Islands

15. A Donor Forum is scheduled in May 2005 following the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Percy.

Tokelau

16. The Samoa Express, a barge that regularly brings supplies to the island, will bring relief supplies to fulfil some of these needs.

17. The UNDAC Team, consisting of a Team Leader from Australia and a member from Samoa, met with the Tokelauan authorities in Apia, Samoa, to discuss the Action Plan, the objectives of the mission and to coordinate with other groups visiting the island. The Samoan Red Cross are also fielding two representatives to Tokelau. The South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP/ www.sidsnet.org/pacific/sprep/default.htm) is also sending an environmental expert at the request of the Tokelau Government, to assess damage to the marine environment.

18. The Government of New Zealand has committed NZD 500,000 (Approximately USD 360,000) for relief supplies. Australia has committed AUD 50,000 (Approximately USD 39,000) to be channelled through New Zealand. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is releasing USD 50,000.

19. OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's office in Samoa and will revert with further information as it becomes available.

20. This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Mr. Soichi Nakajima, E-mail: nakajima@un.org, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 4034

Press contact:
(GVA) - Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 3160
(N.Y.) - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-367 5126