Emae Island IRA – Cyclone Pam
Joint National Disaster Management Office – Vanuatu Country Team
Needs Assessment Mission to Emae Island, Shefa Province
18 March 2015
Introduction:
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) together with representatives from the Vanuatu Country Team (VCT) conducted an assessment of Emae Island, Shefa Provinceon 18March 2015. The aim of the initial rapid assessment is to obtain a more detailed overview of the situation on the ground in order to reach a common understanding of the scale and severity of the response to Cyclone Pam and target the response accordingly.
Local population 862.Female:male – 3:1. Children:adult – 2:1. Local disaster authorities had scheduled a meeting on the morning of the assessment and the team was able to meet with representatives of all communities on the island. During the assessment the teams provided a short briefing of the scope and objective of the assessment.
Key Findings/Observations:
General
1.1The island was severely affected with all almost foliage dislodged, large and small trees downed, and extensive damage to housing.
1.2No fatalities or injuries were reported.
1.3The island roads to affected communitiesfrom the airstrip are blocked with debris including large trees which would require chainsaws to move.
1.4Distance from airstrip to local informationcenter (including school, clinic etc) is around 10km. The other coastal road which provides access from sea going vessels is also damaged.
1.5All villages were severely affected with 90% of dwellings reported as damaged or destroyed. All of the villages were accessible by foot, and local CDCCC representatives were present for an island coordination meeting. Providing access to communities for relief goods distribution will be challenging.
1.6There are 5 vehicles on the island but only 3 functional.
1.7No electricity.
1.8No NGOs currently reported to be supporting the island, other than an ongoing UNDP project.
1.9No post-cyclone assistance provided yet.
1.10Communications have been totally down since the cyclone, with communication tower snapped and no mobile coverage. There has been no radio coverage for 1 year
WASH
2.1Villages reported that most of the rainwater storage tanks were damaged, and almost all of the ground water sources are contaminated with debris and considered undrinkable.
2.2There are 3 x 6000l tanks of water remaining, which were full before the cyclone, which is now being rationed for drinking and cooking. It was estimated by local authorities that this will last another 1-2 weeks.
2.3Pumping equipment was also largely destroyed and rain water harvesting equipment was extensively destroyed. There is a bore but it is considered to be contaminated from a local cemetery uphill.
2.4Majority of latrines have been destroyed, and women reported having toileting buckets inside for children. There is limited supply of soap and no report of diarrheal disease.
WASH
3.1Shelter is also a key concern due to large scale damage to individual dwellings (reported at 90%).
3.2An average of 20 persons sleeping per remaining dwelling, with resulting crowding and lack of privacy.
3.3There has been extensive damage to local thatch stocks, which estimated to take at least one year to regenerate. Some houses were also affected by flooding and landslides during the cyclone.
Food
4.1Extensive damage to food gardens and local store almost empty (was not provisioned before the cyclone) – no rice, salt, flour.
4.2Remaining fruit and food stocks, which is estimated to last for next 1-2 weeks.
4.3Loss of livestock (50% of chickens, as well as a numberof cows, goats and pigs).
Health
5.1Clinicwas partially damaged with water and wind damage to roofing and supplies.
5.2No major injuries were reported from the cyclone, but there have been minor wounds and injuries with clean up.
5.3Dressing room of clinic was extensively destroyed along with dressings and wound and fracture management supplies.
5.4Cold chain fridge damaged and existing vaccines spoiled.
5.5Health clinic still has 6 intact water tanks for water supply, though only 3 have water.
5.6Ground water supply is contaminated with leaves and debris and not tested or used.
5.7Head nurse is treating patients from home until clinic is cleaned up and repaired.
5.8No increase in diarrheal or communicable diseases reported. Main health issues are NCDs, and starting to run low on meds but still have enough for next few weeks. Approximately 20 breastfeeding mothers and 7 pregnant women, not near delivery.
5.9Referral boat has a crack in it and has not been assessed if watertight or repairable
Education
6.1School mainly preserved, with minor damage to roofing but most buildings intact.
6.2School activities currently suspended. No emergency education activities currentlyongoing
Protection
7.1Crowding in houses is a concern for women in terms of privacy.
7.2No reported incidences of GBV (by nurse, teacher, and other women). Children were reported to be afraid during the cyclone, but no behavioral changes reported afterwards.
Agniculture
8.1full damage to all cash crops on the island which will have a significant impact on recovery
Coordination
9.1Local disaster authorities have a good existing coordination structure under leadership of area disaster committee chair with each community having a CDCCC focal point, and executive for the island made up of chairman of area disaster committee principal, headmaster, head nurse.
Recommendations:
Food
- Provision of seedlings to be considered to stimulate recovery of food gardens. In the meantime food distribution will be required.
WASH
- Urgent planning for provision of water in the short term
- Water quality assessment (taking into account local opinions regarding contamination of ground water sources)
- Rainwater harvesting equipment (tanks, gutters, pipes).
- Hygiene kits and soap needed.
Emergency shelter
- Temporary shelter required to reduce crowding in remaining dwellings, provide shade and promote self-recovery.
- Chainsaws for rebuilding
Health
- Restock of dressings and wound care supplies and medicines.
- Urgent replace or repair referral boat.
Logistics
- Need more chainsaws for debris clearance and house rebuilding (disaster committee has 2 chainsaws, one is broken).
- Coastal road also needs to be cleared/repaired for sea-transport
Assessment Team
Phillip Meto – NDMO; Patrick Duigan – IOM;WanesaiSithole – IOM; Ben Nicholson – VMF; Esrom Mark Vano–Ministry of Justice;
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