OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Cook Islands - Tropical Cyclone Trina
29 November - 3 December 2001


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


Situation and Losses

1.  Tropical Cyclone TRINA formed south of the Cook Islands on 29 November
2001, and passed between the islands of Avarua and Mangaia on 1-2
December. Sustained winds of 70 km/hr with stronger gusts caused very
rough seas and coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall added to the flooding.

2.  Damage was sustained on both islands, but it was more serious on
Mangaia, home to 744 people in 228 households.  There was minimal damage
to residential properties, but flooding, landslides and high winds damaged
a number of farming areas.  Thirty-five hectares of taro (root crop
representing 90% of the main staple and source of carbohydrate) were
inundated and lost, and fruit crops have also fared badly.  Up to 60% of
the livestock on the island - pigs, goats, chicken, and horses - were
drowned.  These losses will have an immediate impact on food supplies, and
so the Government intends to provide supplementary rice and flour for
three months.

3.  According to the national government representative on Mangaia, the
floods had subsided a week after the cyclone, revealing the damage to
vegetation and the number of dead animals.  Health authorities are
monitoring the situation in case there is a rise in vector-born diseases,
possibly made more likely by rotting livestock carcasses and the remaining
pools of water.  The water main system was damaged, restricting its
output, and the possibility of further landslides is a concern.
Meanwhile, the local community is commencing clear-up works and repairs
where possible, and is in good spirit.


National Response

4.  The Cook Islands National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) met on 3
December to consider the situation and to despatch a seven-member
assessment team, which visited Mangaia from 4 to 6 December.  The team
comprised the Minister of Island Administration, with representatives of
the police, and the departments of agriculture and health, as well as the
media.  The team assessed the damage and needs across three sectors,
namely infrastructure, agriculture, and health, and identified the need
for food, vector control measures, and the restoration of critical public
utilities, particularly repairs to the mains water supply system, arterial
and access roads.  The total cost of the immediate relief requirements,
emergency rehabilitation works, and logistic support, were estimated at
USD 52,000.

5.  Following the assessment mission, the Government declared a state of
emergency for the island of Mangaia on 12 December 2001, and requested
assistance from the United Nations.  The NDMC is now examining the
sectoral reports, and considering the assistance needs for longer-term
recovery, including replanting the taro and other crops, restocking
livestock, and rebuilding infrastructure.

6.  The Cook Islands Red Cross Society is monitoring the situation and
remains in close contact with the Government.  It is preparing to provide
food relief if this becomes necessary early next year.


International Response

7.  The Government of New Zealand has offered to assist with the provision
of food relief, but the Government of Cook Islands has indicated that it
will approach Australia and New Zealand bilaterally for assistance to meet
the longer-term needs, when it has prepared an outline recovery programme.

8.  The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in New Zealand has
pledged NZD 10,000 (US$ 4,140) through its local directorate in Rarotonga,
for assistance with the provision of food supplies.

9.  UNDP has indicated that it will make a grant USD 10,000 through the
office of its Resident Representative in Apia, Samoa.  Equally, OCHA has
provided an Emergency Grant of USD 10,000 drawn from the funds
prepositioned with OCHA by the Norwegian Government for emergency
assistance. The grants will be managed by the Office of Aid Management,
and utilised for the purchase and delivery of food and for immediate
repair of the water works on Mangaia.

10.  This is the last situation report on this disaster unless there are
unforeseen developments.  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. DeSouza / Mr. S. Matsuka / Mr. K. Quiding
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 31 / 1363 / 40 34 / 1769

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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