OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Vanuatu - Tropical Cyclone Sose
11 April 2001


The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)  provided the
following information, through the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor
for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji.

Situation and Damage

1.  Tropical Cyclone SOSE formed to the West of the Torres Islands, about
250 km to the Northwest of the largest island of Espiritu Santo.  It moved
gradually Westward then South and later Southeast from 6-9 April 2001,
tracking just to the West of the Vanuatu Islands, and passing within 40 km
of Santo on 7 April.  It caused heavy rain, rough Northwesterly swells,
and sustained gale force winds over 100 km/hr throughout the western isles
of Vanuatu, but particularly affecting the islands of Santo in the North,
Malekula, Ambae, the Shepherd Group and Efate in Central Vanuatu, and
Erromango, Tanna and Anatom in the South.  SOSE has affected the same
provinces - Sanma, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea - struck by Cyclone PAULA from
28 February to 1 March 2001.

2.  A 6 year old boy was swept away whilst trying to cross a swollen river
at Nawalala Village on Santo with his father.  His body has not been
recovered.  An inter-island vessel, the M.V. Omale, sank in heavy seas off
the coast of Malo Island near Santo.  All 16 passengers and crew made it
ashore safely after 4 hours in the water.  No other reports of casualties
have been received yet.

3.  Villages on the South Coast of Santo and in the vicinity of
Luganville, the main town, suffered from flooding which cut roads and has
further damaged crops, particularly bananas, yams, taro and manioc,
already adversely affected by the previous cyclone.  60 people were
evacuated from flooded areas, some 59 houses were completely destroyed and
101 houses partially damaged by the wind.  On tiny Ahamb Island next to
Malekula, 4 classrooms and all food crops left after PAULA plus those
planted since, were destroyed.  On Ambae buildings were damaged and at
least 2 schools lost classrooms.  In Port Vila, the capital on Efate
Island, 50 people were evacuated as the waters rose.  Power lines were
brought down and roads were blocked by debris and floodwaters.


Forecast

4.  At 06:00 hours UTC on 11 April, Tropical Cyclone SOSE was located at
26.4 South 169.5 East and is forecast to weaken steadily as it moves away
from the equator.


National and International Response

5.  The Vanuatu Department of Meteorology issued a tropical cyclone alert
early on 7 April and continuously updated its advisory message thereafter.
NDMO predicted landslides, flooding in low-lying and coastal areas, and
warned the public to stay at home and avoid taking unnecessary risks by
crossing rivers and streams or putting to sea.

6.  The National Disaster Committee (NDC) convened on 9 April to make
recommendations to assist the most affected communities.  Food aid is
rarely provided following disasters in Vanuatu, but with the losses to
food crops and stocks caused by the passage of two cyclones in 6 weeks,
the Committee is considering the urgent provision of emergency rations,
water purification tablets, shelter materials and seeds to the areas most
affected by both PAULA and SOSE.

7.  Preliminary estimates of relief requirements include 148 tarpaulins
and 200 bags of rice for damaged schools, 100 tarpaulins for the worst
affected communities pending receipt of assessment reports, and 5,000
seedlings for replanting.  In response, the Vanuatu Red Cross Society will
provide temporary shelter materials, water containers and purification
tablets for affected communities on Santo, and similar items plus 500 bags
of rice for villages in the Shepherd Group.  The Red Cross is also looking
after the evacuees in Port Vila.

8.  Owing to unrelated political developments in Vanuatu, which have
resulted in the adjournment of Parliament, a state of emergency has not
been declared and the Government has not yet requested any international
relief.  Provincial Disaster Committees and line ministries have been
tasked with conducting initial assessments of damage and needs in their
respective regions and sectors, and it is hoped to produce a preliminary
report to guide the immediate response, and rehabilitation and
reconstruction, very shortly.  The NDC will consider requesting
appropriate assistance when the assessment reports are compiled, through
diplomatic missions and NGOs based in Port Vila.

9.  NDMO predicts that the combined effect of the two cyclones will
adversely affect the national economy, since in Western and Southern Santo
and Malekula, Ambae, and the Shepherds, 50-60 per cent of cash and
subsistence crops have suffered damage, together with a similar proportion
of buildings.  Roads and water catchment areas and reservoirs are also
blocked by debris and damaged, and schools are particularly affected, as
many have lost their subsistence plots and a number of classrooms.

10.  OCHA is in contact with relevant government authorities in Vanuatu
through its Regional Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific, and will
revert with further information when available.

11.  This situation report, together with information on other ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int




Telephone: +41-22-91712 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. R. Mueller / Ms. S. De Souza / Mr. S. Matsuka 
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 31 / 16 36 / 40 34


Press contact:  
(in GVA) Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-91726 53
 (in NY) Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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