Vanuatu - Tropical Cyclone PAM - Update

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 04:27:00 +01:00

Government-led Initial Rapid Assessments are now completed. Main needs remain water, shelter and food assistance.
OCHA reports around 166 000 people have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Pam across five provinces (Shefa, Tafea, Penama, Malampa and Torba). The confirmed fatalities remain at 16 people.
Approximately 14 000 homes are reported to be destroyed or damaged (destruction ranging from 20% - 90%). 65 000 people are in need of temporary shelter. There are nearly 4 000 people sheltering in 36 evacuation centers in Efate.
162 000 people in Tafea, Shefa, Malampa and Penama provinces are in need of food assistance. So far, approximately 50 000 people have already received emergency food assistance.
A Flash Appeal is being drafted (based on a 3-month timeframe) and expected to be launched tomorrow. At present OCHA’s Financial Tracking Service records a total of USD 10 million in financial contributions (mainly Australia USD 3.9 million, United Kingdom USD 2.46 million, New Zealand USD 1.8 million, EU USD 1.12 million). This amount excludes USD 7.71 million outstanding pledges.

Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji - Tropical Cyclone PAM - UPDATE

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 04:59:00 +01:00

Tropical Cyclone PAM continues to intensify and has been upgraded into a Category 4; it is expected to become Category 5 in the next 12 - 18 hours. On 12 March, 0.00 UTC, its centre was located approximately 600 km north-east of Port Vila in Vanuatu, and its maximum sustained wind speed was 212 km/h.
In the next 24 h, PAM is forecast to move further south, south-west, closer towards and past Port Vila, the capital in Vanuatu. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge are expected to affect Vanuatu, as well as some areas of the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and also the Fiji island group.
As of 12 March, the National Meteorological Services issued a cyclone warning and watches for Vanuatu and Solomon Island provinces.
Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office has activated national emergency operation centres across the islands. The large majority of the country’s population lives in buildings which are not cyclone resilient. The government has set in place evacuation measures.
Several humanitarian organizations are on stand by and ready to conduct assessments. ECHO is in contact with the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team.

Vanuatu Cyclone PAM

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 06:48:00 +01:00

OCHA reports 6 dead people and more than 2 000 people sheltering in over 25 evacuation centres in Efate, Torba and Penama provinces. Shelter is likely to be a major need. Clean water, sanitation and hygiene supplies are also major issues for those left homeless and those in evacuation centres. Still, information on impact and needs regarding other islands is very scarce. Erromango and Tanna islands (south of Efate) are expected to have been heavily affected.
The airport in Port Vila has reopened, allowing military aircraft from Australia, New Zealand and France to bring in relief supplies and personnel. Media also report the first commercial flight landed on Monday 16 March. Mobile network and communications have been restored in Port Vila.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is coordinating the response and has activated the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). The Government is coordinating and collating the various offers of assistance. The Vanuatu Humanitarian Team (VHT) is supporting the Government and is a collaboration between Vanuatu based NGOs, the Red Cross, UN and government agencies.
Several organizations are stepping up relief efforts (WFP, UNICEF, OXFAM, Save the Children, Vanuatu Red Cross, World Vision, ADRA, CARE). An UNDAC team arrived on 16 March 2015.
As of 16 March 2015, according to the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster’s Initial Briefing, crops across the country are severely damaged; banana crops and leafy vegetable crops are likely to have been destroyed. Loss of livestock and destroyed fisheries infrastructure have also been reported.
ECHO expert from RSO Bangkok arrived in Port Vila on 16 March 2015. A second expert is expected to land tomorrow.

Australia - Tropical Cyclone Olwyn

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 04:58:00 +01:00

Tropical Cyclone Olwyn centre was located approximately 290 km north of the city of Karratha in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and its maximum sustained wind speed was 111 km/h.
In the next 24 h, it is forecast to continue moving further south, intensifying, approaching the town of Exmouth on the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia, and make landfall in the late afternoon, 12 March, UTC, making its way towards Coral Bay further south. Heavy rain, strong wind and storm surge are expected to affect the landfall area. JRC calculations indicate a max. storm surge of the order of 2 m in Learmonth, Australia, on 12 March, evening.
As of 12 March, the National Meteorological Service issued a cyclone warning and watch for some areas on the western coast as Owloy is expected to bring heavy rain and winds into southern parts of Western Australia.