Cook Islands: Tropical Cyclone Olaf - Feb 2005

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

During the 10th replenishment of the Asian Development Fund (ADF XI), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and ADF donors agreed to pilot the Disaster Response Facility (DRF) in the ADF XI period, 2013–2016. ADB will report on the implementation progress of the DRF at the ADF XI midterm review, and discuss the future of the DRF with the ADB Board of Directors and ADF donors at the ADF XII negotiations.

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)

PREFACE

With increasing global temperatures, rising sea levels and more frequent and intense extreme weather events, Pacific islands countries, especially those in warmer latitudes, are the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Their populations are expected to be among the first that will need to adapt to climate change or even abandon their traditional homeland and relocate.

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated July 6, 2004

Background

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WELLINGTON, Mar 2, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The Pacific Island Forum (PIF) is to provide 60,000 Fiji dollars (about 36,000 US dollars) this week through the Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund to assist Cook Islands following recent cyclones.

"The Forum regrets the damage and suffering caused by the four cyclones and hopes this contribution will assist with recovery efforts in the Cook Islands," Acting Forum Secretary General, Iosefa Maiava, said in a statement reaching here from Fiji Wednesday.

Latest information from the Pacific is that Cyclone Percy, a strong Category 3 storm, has caused widespread damage to Tokelau after hitting the island group on Saturday 26 February.

Food crops have been damaged and the only school on the atoll of Nokonunu has been largely destroyed. Communications and power have been affected but initial reports indicate that the water supply on the atolls has been unaffected.

The Hon Bruce Billson
MP Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade

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Battered by Cyclone Olaf, the third cyclone after Cyclone Meena and Cyclone Nancy in the last 15 days, the Cook Islands is facing a big challenge. The people of the Cook Islands are making great efforts to overcome the disaster.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Cyclone, H.E.

WELLINGTON, Feb 23, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- New Zealand is continuing to arrange for resources to assist the Cook Islands to recover from damages caused by three cyclones in the last two weeks, Aid Minister Marian Hobbs said Wednesday.

"New Zealand received a request to assist on Saturday morning and NZAID, our international aid agency, has since been coordinating the FRANZ (France, Australia and New Zealand) response," Hobbs said in a statement.

Emergency supplies have begun arriving in the Manu'a Islands of American Samoa, which were devastated in a direct hit from Cyclone Olaf last week.

United States President, George W.

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 …

Latest information from the Pacific is that Cyclone Olaf has caused substantial damage to property mainly on the west coast of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

New Zealand telecommunications technicians will head to the Cook Islands tomorrow to help repair damage caused by Cyclone Olaf last night, and further assistance is likely in the next few days, says Foreign Minister Phil Goff.

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organisation and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries.

WELLINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Cyclone Olaf headed towards the Cook Islands but looked set to miss the main populated island, officials said on Friday.

Though weakening, Olaf still had winds of up to 280 km/h (173 mph) at its centre, but was headed deeper into the South Pacific after hitting parts of American Samoa the previous day, destroying homes and sinking a boat.

The Cook Islands Meteorological Service said the severe category four cyclone was set to pass 500 km (280 miles) to the west of the main island of Rarotonga.

"We have been experiencing strong winds, no rain, …

Latest information from the Pacific is that Cyclone Nancy is weakening and is unlikely to pose a further threat to populated areas.

Reports from the Cook Islands indicate that damage from Cyclone Nancy is largely limited to crop and property damage.

The Cook Islands are now preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Olaf, however if the cyclone continues on its present course it is likely to pass to the west of the Cook Islands, sparing the country from the full effects of its destructive winds.

The Cook Islands are still likely to be buffeted by strong winds and rain from Cyclone Olaf …

WTPS32 PGTW 180900
MSGID/GENADMIN/NAVPACMETOCCEN PEARL HARBOR HI/JTWC//
SUBJ/TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING//
RMKS/

1. TROPICAL CYCLONE 19P (OLAF) WARNING NR 018
01 ACTIVE TROPICAL CYCLONE IN SOUTHPAC
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS BASED ON ONE-MINUTE AVERAGE

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WARNING POSITION:

180600Z5 --- NEAR 21.2S5 162.9W8
MOVEMENT PAST SIX HOURS - 140 DEGREES AT 20 KTS
POSITION ACCURATE TO WITHIN 040 NM
POSITION BASED ON EYE FIXED BY SATELLITE

PRESENT WIND DISTRIBUTION:

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 115 KT, GUSTS 140 KT

RADIUS OF 064 KT WINDS