Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/0008
OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Niue - Tropical Cyclone Heta
Occurred on 5-6 January 2004
The New Zealand-led assessment team provided the following information, through the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor in Suva, Fiji.
Situation and Damage
1. The 100 families that were made homeless by Cyclone Heta on 5 January, continue to be housed with friends and family. The people of Niue are under considerable stress and the government is providing counselling services as a matter of priority.
2. Some 80% of the international phone links have been re-established and the temporay satellite system up and running. The temporary restoration of the island's international communication links will greatly assist the government and business sector to manage their affairs. It will also relieve a lot of anxiety within the community who have been unable to contact relatives abroad and visa versa.
3. The fire risk continues to rise with the island's vegetation tinder dry. The island's natural green vegetation is now a desert-like brown. The Government has issued a fire ban for the whole island. Nevertheless, fires are an important day-to-day activity for agriculture. The island's fuel stocks continue to restrict community movement. Diesel stocks are also low and this may result in power restrictions due to the island's power being diesel generated.
National and International Response
4. The Niue Government is now focussing on recovery.
5. A Royal New Zealand Air Force C130 arrived on Friday with further relief supplies, in addition to building materials and machinery parts. The Australian Defence Force Medical Team is assisting the Niue Medical Services to provide medical and public health coverage.
6. As the New Zealand-led assessment team is leaving Niue, the NZ Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has provided a disaster recovery specialist to assist the Niue Government in its recovery efforts.
7. A European Union Representative arrived on Saturday to meet with the Niue Government and offer assistance.
8. Plans are well underway to build the 20 houses donated by the French Polynesia Government. Accommodation options for a further 80 families are presently being investigated and will form part of the Niue Governments Recovery Plan.
9. A French Military Plane arrived Saturday with a new satellite dish to replace the temporary arrangement.
10. OCHA is providing an Emergency Grant of USD 20,000 for relief and recovery.
11. OCHA will revert with further information when available.
12. This situation report, together with information on other ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int
Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officers:
Mr.K. Quiding
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 17 69
Press contact:
(in GVA) - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(in N.Y.) - Mr. Brian Grogan, direct Tel. +1-212-963 11 43
