In brief

Programme purpose

Red Cross National Societies are community-based organizations. Support to improving the functioning of local Red Cross institutions, programmes and the resulting services, which then have an impact on vulnerable people, is at the heart of the Pacific regional office’s mandate.

DISASTER RESPONSE

USAID/OFDA Responds to the New Zealand Earthquake

On the afternoon of February 22, people in Christchurch, New Zealand, were going about their normal lunchtime routine when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake rattled the city, trapping people under collapsed buildings, causing extensive damage to the city center, and killing hundreds of individuals.

This report was issued by OCHA Sub Regional Office for the Pacific. It covers covers the period from 26 January 2011 to 2 February 2011.

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

- Tropical Cyclone (TC) Wilma, a category 3 cyclone, brought destructive winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding to the Ha'apai Islands in Tonga on 25 January

- Tonga's National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) led a joint rapid assessment of affected islands on 26 January with the Tonga Red Cross and Tonga Defence Services

- Total damages, according to estimates

Updated January 27, 2011 18:39:10

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the people of Tonga have been lucky to escape major damage from Cyclone Wilma.

The Ha' apai group received the most damage with authorities sending out relief supplies.

Presenter: Kate McPherson

Speaker: Peter Muller, the Regional Disaster Response Advisor for OCHA

Listen: Windows Media

This report was issued by OCHA SRO Fiji. It covers the period from 23 January 2011 to 26 January 2011.

- TC Wilma was declared on 23 January 2011, and upgraded to a Category 4 cyclone on 26 January. TC Wilma passed over Samoa, before it skirted around the Vava'u Islands, Tonga and impacted the Ha'apai group of islands in Tonga on 25 January as a Category 3

- Initial unconfirmed reports from 4 islands in the Ha'apai group indicate substantial damage to root crops and fruit trees, and minor damage to dwellings and jetties. No reports of death or injury.