REPORTS
A week after a powerful earthquake in the Pacific Ocean triggered a series
of tsunamis that devastated a chain of islands in the region, the United
Nations today reported that thousands remain homeless and warned against the
heightened risk of outbreaks of disease.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said that around 3,200 Samoans have been
forced from their homes, while the death toll stands at 137 people, with 310
injured and six still missing in the aftermath of the 8.0 magnitude
earthquake on the ocean bed.
OCHA
<"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/AZHU-7WL8HD?OpenDocument&quer
y=">said that assessments by the Samoan Red Cross (SRC) indicate that the 29
September earthquake, with its epicentre 190 kilometres south of the Samoan
capital of Apia, sent waves crashing down on 40 villages along the
south-eastern coast, completely destroying 20 of them.
The Government estimated the cost of damage to infrastructure, including
public and private properties, amounts to around $150 million as it
downgraded the situation in the South Pacific island from a "State of
Disaster" to a "State of Emergency."
The World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) said that UN
agencies are conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and coordinating
with the Government to develop a plan for reconstruction and recovery, and
that health surveillance system is in place and reporting daily.The UN
Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) is on the ground in Samoa
to meet the urgent needs of the estimated 9,000 affected children, 2,000 of
whom are thought to be displaced.
"From experience, UNICEF knows that in an emergency, children are the most
affected," <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51295.html">said UNICEF
Pacific Representative, Isiye Ndombi. "It is therefore essential they have
access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, are protected from
vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and are able to resume
education."
The team arrived in Apia at the end of last week with thousands of emergency
supply sets of oral re-hydration salts, water purification tablets and
promotional materials on basic health practices in emergencies. At the
weekend UNICEF managed to fly in early childhood development kits and
recreational kits.
WHO also voiced concern over the increased of risk of vector-borne diseases,
health risks to displaced persons in affected areas and problems caused by
the absence of waste disposal and sanitation in the Somoan and Tongan
islands.
A total of nine people died on the Tongan island of Niuatoputapu and more
than 300 people were left homeless as a result of the tsunami, which
destroyed 80 houses and seriously damaged another 56, OCHA reported.
OCHA said that shelter and water top list of needs for the survivors. WHO
reported that a clean water supply has been restored and sufficient food
supplies are available on the island.
The Government is slated to conduct an assessment mission today to consider
lifting the State of Emergency in Niuatoputapu.
Oct 7 2009 10:10AM
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