After a request for assistance from the Cook Islands Government, FRANZ partners, Australia, France and New Zealand are helping the country coordinate clean-up operations in the wake of Cyclones Olaf and Nancy.

Cyclone Olaf, which hit the Cook Islands late on 18 February, caused substantial damage to property and telecommunications mainly on the west coast of Rarotonga.

Australia is providing an initial contribution of $30,000 to assist with recovery efforts, while France and New Zealand have sent specialist teams to Rarotonga to assist with clean-up operations and to restore power lines and telecommunication services respectively.

Both Cyclone Olaf and Cyclone Nancy, which hit the Cook Islands on 15/16 February, have weakened and are unlikely to pose a further threat to populated areas.

Disaster assessments of affected areas are underway and AusAID and EMA disaster assessment officers remain on standby to travel to affected areas if required.

In Samoa, which missed a direct hit from Cyclone Olaf, clean-up work is well underway. The damage from the cyclone was largely limited to crop damage, power lines and fallen trees.

The United States are coordinating relief efforts in the Manu'a islands group in American Samoa which received a direct hit from Cyclone Olaf.

AusAID continues to monitor the situation closely and Australia stands ready to provide further assistance to the Cook Islands and other affected countries in coordination with our FRANZ partners, as damage assessment reports are received.

For more information on Cyclones Olaf and Nancy see www.afap.org