Highlights

• Both Samoa and Fiji are transitioning from humanitarian response to early recovery and rehabilitation.

• 2,729 houses have been destroyed or severely damaged affecting approximately 17,000 people.

• Post Disaster Needs Assessment in Samoa expected to be completed by the end of January.

• 75 percent of the agriculture sector on Upulo Island in Samoa was moderately or severely affected.

Summary

Highlights

• 281 people remain in 13 Evacuation Centers in Fiji, down from 1,202 on 28 December

• 810 people are in Evacuation Centres in Samoa, down from 4,500 on 28 December.

Situation Overview

Samoa

Restoration of electricity, water supply, and addressing sanitation issues in the temporary shelters remain priorities for response. A detailed analysis of the initial damage assessment on the wellbeing of the community is still ongoing.

This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation. The Fiji Red Cross will, however, accept direct assistance to provide support to the affected population.

Summary

Highlights

• 11,676 remain in Evacuation Centers in the Northern, Central and Western Divisions in Fiji.

• Preliminary assessments of damage to crops and livestock in Fiji is estimated to be US$30 million.

• 6,000 people remain in 40 Evacuation Centers in Samoa.

• Assessments have indicated $4.1 million in damages to school infrastructure in Samoa.

This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation.

*This bulletin contains information on the French territory of Wallis and Futuna

The situation

Samoa

Highlights

• The Ministry of Police in Samoa has confirmed that there have been four casualties and eight people remain missing.

• The main water treatment plant in Samoa has suffered major damages and access to water is yet to be restored.

• The island of Upolo in Samoa remains without electricity and reports suggest it may take months to reconnect the entire island.

• Tropical Cyclone Evan (TC Evan) is forecast to pass Wallis and Futuna as a Category 4 tropical cyclone tonight.

What are the current conditions?

The centre of Tropical Cyclone Evan is currently just south of Upolu and its movement has slowed somewhat from last night. The system continued to intensify overnight and is now a Category 2 tropical cyclone with winds of 130km per hour and gusts to 170km per hour near the centre.

Now that Tropical Cyclone Evan has crossed over Upolu Island it is expected to become stationary.

What are the current conditions?

At 2 PM Fiji Time TD04F was named Tropical Cyclone Evan.

The satellite image this morning showed Tropical Cyclone Evan located approximately 350km west of Apia, Samoa. The system is continuing to intensify as it moves east at approximately 18km per hour. The maximum winds near the centre of the system are currently 56km per hour.

Further intensification is predicted and it is likely that the system will become a significant tropical cyclone within the next 12 to 24 hours.