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Tuvalu

Tuvalu: Tropical Cyclone Pam Situation Report No. 2 (as of 30 March 2015)

Attachments

Highlights

• The Government and humanitarian partners continue to deliver food, shelter, fuel, clothes, water treatment tablets, medical supplies, and other relief items to the affected islands.

• Rapid assessments have been carried out on the three northern islands (Nanumanga, Niutao,
Nanumea) and the three central islands (Nui,
Nukufetau, Vaitupu).

• Nui suffered the worst damage of the three central islands, with significant damage to crops and livestock.

• Nanumanga suffered the worst damage of the three northern islands, with 60-100 houses flooded and damage to the health facility.

• Ninety per cent of crops have been damaged in Nui and Nukufetau.

• All displaced people have returned to their homes in Nukufetau.

• Influenza cases reported in Nanumanga have now stabilized.

• The total amount of in-kind, cash and pledge donations to relief and recovery efforts is approximately US$ 2.5 million.

• The general elections planned for 26 March have been postponed to 31 March 2015.

Situation Overview

The Government-led emergency response to victims of Tropical Cyclone Pam is still ongoing in Tuvalu. The situation in the outer islands is normalising as most affected people have returned to their homes. The Government and humanitarian partners continue to deliver protein-rich food, shelter kits, fuel, generators, water treatment tablets, kitchen kits, clothes and medical supplies to the three central islands (Nui, Nukufetau, Vaitupu) and three northern islands (Nanumanga, Niutao, Nanumea). Construction materials and tools are also being provided to the affected communities. Teams from the Public Works Department (PWD) and Solid Waste Agency of Tuvalu (SWAT) have been deployed to assist with clean-up operations and the construction of temporary shelters. Eighty per cent of the affected areas have restored electricity, internet and telephone connections.

Rapid assessments have been carried out for the three northern islands of Nanumanga, Niutao and Nanumea. Water, medicine, shelter and food were identified as priority needs. Nanumanga suffered the worst storm damage, with 60-100 houses flooded and severe damage to the hospital. The harbour ramp in Nanumanga used to deliver relief supplies was also damaged. Nanumea and Niutao received minimal damage and life has generally returned to normal.

Although immediate relief needs have been met in the central islands, there is a need to better utilize the financial support pledged by the international community. An analysis of the use of the assistance provided thus far will be conducted, and a plan is being developed by the Government to determine the existing response gaps. Additional updates are also needed on the situation in the northern and southern islands.

The caretaker Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga hosted a lunch for external partners on 22 March and used the occasion to show the Government of Tuvalu’s gratitude to the international community for the support provided to Tuvalu. The rapid assessment teams also shared updates on the assessments carried out in the central and northern islands.

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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