Emae Island Assessment Report

Home , Emae, Mataso, Shefa Province

EMAE ISLAND ASSESSMENT REPORT

REPORT

March 18th – 21st 2015

Shefa Provincial Government Council Private Mail Bag 9078 Port Vila Vanuatu

MAP OF VANUATU

EMAE ISLAND

Flooding

Coastal Erosion

Geography Location

Emae is the fourth largest both in terms of population and land area in Shefa Province. The island of Emae is grouped as one administrative area. It is located in the south-central part of the country. It has a total land area of 10 km long and up to 5 km wide, with an area of 32 square kilometers.The Area Council Head quarter is at Tabakor Village.

Most of the people living on Emae Island are concentrated in the coastal and central area of the island from North to South. The people who live on the island are mostly locals from the Island. A percentage of people from other islands in Vanuatu also live on the island especially in Nofo Primary and Junior Secondary School and the health centre in the island.

Land and Agriculture

Like most islands in Vanuatu, Emae is a volcanic island. The whole part of the island is covered mainly by volcanic soil. There are best parts of the land, which are level land and suitable for farming are used to rear domestic animals such as cattle, pigs and goats. These animals roam freely about the village using most of the level land areas and thus forcing people to move further in land to do their gardening.

Some people even move their houses to live near their gardens. The soil along the sea coast is mostly sand and during high tides and strong sea currents the sand was washed out and later replaced by sea tides. Coconut palms grow very healthy along the sea coast.

In addition to what is grown on land, people also depend on food imported from Vila. The main food items imported from Vila are rice, flour, sugar, tinned fish and tinned meat, and associated food implements. These food supplies supplement the dietary balance of families on the island. People on the island spend most of their income and revenues in paying for school fees and household expenses.

Feeder roads and Bush Tracks

Most villages that were affected by the disaster are located in coastal areas and nearby from the main road that goes around the island. Only Makatuna-titi village is located far from the main roads but built their own feeder road from their village and connect to the main road. The feeder roads are also used by vehicles. Some were constructed over 20 years ago.

Most of these roads link the hills to the village and gardens. Some villages located in the hills are quite remote. Feeder roads were damaged. Some roads which ran across gardens or valleys were covered with logs and rocks. The community could not anything at their own capacity due to big logs and huge pile stones from the flooding and coastal erosion.

There are also footpaths and bush tracks, which lead to the gardens and even connecting other villages. These roads were also damaged. The roads are used daily by the people. The community used their hand tools to clear the roads; however the irreparable ones closed off.

Existing roads

Road from Finonge to Vaima Road from Vaima to Tongamea & Makatea

The existing and useable feeder roads were damaged by flooding covered with logs and rocks. The damages were beyond community’s capacity due to big logs and huge pile stones from the flooding and coastal erosion.

Water Situation Overview

The island of Emae does not have any river or stream but does have spring water. It relies mainly on water collected from the rain. Every household build their houses with iron roofs which they use to collect water and store in water tanks and other containers. These containers vary from poly-tanks, fibreglass tanks, Ferro-cements tanks, underground wells, borehole water pumps, and all kinds of containers which families find and use to store water in them. Given its uniqueness to water collection like in other small islands in Vanuatu which relies mainly on rain water, donors do not provide many water tanks to the community as other islands. Some households that do not have iron roofs over their houses depend on community water tanks which were financed by donors for the community.

Rain Water Catchment, used by 67 peoples / 18 Underground Water, used by 94 peoples / 22 Households on Marae Village Emae Island. Households on Marae Village Emae Island.

Health and Education

The Ministry of Health established a Health Centre on Ngaone Community. A registered nurse operates the clinic at the time of visit. Based on the reports obtained from the nurse, the clinic has not registered any patient seen or treated as a result of the flooding and severe tropical cyclone force wind. The clinic explained that the main diseases in Emae are flu and cough and diarhea.

There are also no signs of malnutrition or dehydration. Everyone on the island is healthy

The south central part of the island has a primary school. The schools are located at one location, Nofo English primary and secondary school and Worarano French Speaking Primary school. When the team visited the school, the school is filled with debris. Both Nofo and Worarana School was damage and not save for the students to continue class for their safety.

PERSONNEL DEPLOYMENT

The following Officers were deployed to Emae to carry out rapid assessment:

Linda Peter: Shefa Training Officer / Shefa EOC – 22752 Mr. Atis Kalo: Assistant Secretary General / Shefa EOC – 22752

FIELD ASSESSMENT

Field assessments were carried out on the following villages;

North Emae South Emae:

1. Siwo 8. Sangave 2. Vaitini 9. Finonge 3. Marae 10. Putuai 4. Sulua 11. Lemputa 5. Sasake 12. Vaima 6. Tabakoro 13. Tongamea 14. Makatea 7. Reisu

The following officers further assisted the team in the assessment assignment. Their names are:

 Elder Joseph Amos Marakiliu – Marae Village  Mr. John Makauliu – Marae Village  Chief Berry Obed Varatiamata – Sasake Village  Nurse Donald Kalsong – Vaimauri Health Centre  Mr. Daniel Shem – Siwo Vilage  Mr. Kaloris Willie – Finonge Village

The initial purpose of the assessment team is to determine the extent of impacts to server tropical cyclone PAM and to make recommendations for immediate actions.

FINDINGS

1. Siwo Village

Population 18 people Households Total of 4 households were destroyed and covered with debris transported from hurricane wind force. Infrastructure Main roads are damaged, cover with logs and debris transported from strong force winds and flooding. Airport Airport domestic roof damaged, and cover with debris. Safe House There are 4 private safe houses being used as evacuation centre, total of 15 (Evacuation Centre) occupants still lives at the evacuation centres. Community Building - Presbyterian church building has minor damages - Community nakamal completely destroyed. Water Source There are 3 water tanks 1100 Lt each was half full and water from the tanks can only be use within a week due that water is contaminated. 1 hand pump, water contaminated and not good for use. Community is in immediate need for water assistance. Cleanliness & Bus toilets are damaged. No hand washing soap. Four household in need of hand Hygiene washing soaps. Agriculture Root Every crop including their main root crop – wild yam and other agricultural crop crops & Animals were destroyed including fruit trees by severer tropical cyclone PAM wind force. Recorded 2 death cattle’s during the tropical cyclone PAM. Communication There is no mean of communication; both digicel and TVL tower are completely destroyed in the island. Radio outlets is still not reachable since TC PAM.

2. Vaitini Village

Population 46 people Households Total of 4 households. All 4 houses were destroyed and cover debris transported with wind force flood waters. Infrastructure Main roads blog, cover with logs and debris transported from strong force winds and flooding. Safe House There are 4 private safe houses being used as evacuation centre, total of 43 (Evacuation Centre) occupants still lives at the evacuation centres. Community Building - Church houses louvers are damaged. - Community nakamal completely destroyed. Water Source There are 5 water tanks in the community, 2 tanks are full, 2 are half full and 1 is damaged. 1 Hand pump. Water sources are contaminated and can only be used less than 2 weeks. Community is in immediate need of water assistance. Cleanliness & Bus toilets are damaged. No hand washing soap. Hygiene Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, including fruit trees. Record show that cattle’s, pigs and chickens died during severe TC PAM. Communication Both TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. Only mean of telecommunication is the Air Vanuatu Tele-Radio. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

3. Marae Village

Population 138 Households Total of 27 households. There are 22 houses includes kitchen completed destroyed during TC PAM. Infrastructure Main roads are damaged by flooding and cover with log and debris. Damages are beyond man power and need resources to clear, repair and maintain roads. Safe House Four private houses has been used as evacuation centres, a total of 100 occupants (Evacuation Centre) still lives at the evacuation centres. All 5 safe houses are damages during TC PAM aftermath; occupants are homeless and still remain at the evacuation centres. Community Building - Marae Presbyterian Church roof damaged - Marae Aid Post completely destroyed - Marae Community hall completely destroyed - 1 store (Lily Amos) completely destroyed Water Source - 5 underground wells, all damaged by flooding and filled with debris - 4 cement water wells damaged, contaminated. - 2 fibreglass water tanks, both damaged. Report shows that water sources are contaminated and cannot sustain community for less than 2 weeks. Community is in immediate need for water assistance. Cleanliness & Bus toilets are destroyed. People are now using open bush for toilet. No hand Hygiene washing soaps on all households. 27 house in need of hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, including fruit trees. Report shows that 4 cattle’s, 6 pigs and chickens died during severe TC PAM aftermath. Communication No communication. TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

4. Sasake Village

Population 128 people Households 30 households. Total of 25 houses include kitchen are completely destroyed. Immediate need for shelter is require for Sasake community. Infrastructure Main roads are damaged by flooding and cover with log and debris. Community have taken first approach to clear logs and debris. Road is now accessible. Safe House There are four (4) private houses being used as evacuation centres, total of 127 (Evacuation Centre) occupants still lives at the evacuation centres. Community Building - Presbyterian Church completely destroyed. - Community nakamal completely destroyed. - Private stores completely destroyed. Water Source 1 underground well damaged. 2 water tanks half full and 1 is damaged. Community is in immediate need for water assistance. Cleanliness & Bus toilets are destroyed. People are using bush for toilet. No hand washing soap, Hygiene total of 128 households needs hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely including fruit trees. 2 cattle’s and 6 pigs crops & Animals were death during TC PAM. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath. 1 government satellite phone is the only mean of communication. 9

5. Tabakoro & Sulua Village

Population 72 peoples Households Total of 16 households. Infrastructure Main roads are cover with logs and debris transported from flooding and strong hurricane winds. Roads are being clear up by community and are now accessible. Safe House Three (2) private houses are being used as evacuation centres. Evacuation centre (Evacuation Centre) 1: 28 occupants and Evacuation centre 2 : 25 occupants. Total of 53 peoples are homeless and still lives at the evacuation centres. Community is in immediate need of shelter. Community Building - Presbyterian church house completely destroyed - Community nakamal and 1 private store completely destroyed. Water Source 1 underground well contaminated. Total of 4 fibreglass water tanks; 3 tanks are half full and 1 is empty. Water sources are contaminated and amount of water cannot sustain community for less than 2 weeks. Community is in immediate need for water assistance. Cleanliness & Bush toilets are damaged and there is no hand washing soaps in the community. Hygiene Total of 15 households need hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, including fruit trees. 30 chickens recorded death during TC PAM. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

6. Savuti Village

Population 41 peoples Households Total of 9 households. Infrastructure Main roads are completed damaged, cover with logs and debris transported from hurricane force wind, flooding and rough sea swell. Damages are beyond community capacity, need of relevant resources are requires to support community clear and maintain road. Road is still not accessible. Safe House Four (4) houses are being used as evacuation centres. Total of 37 occupants still (Evacuation Centre) live in the evacuation centres. Community Building - Presbyterian Church roof completely destroyed. - Health centre roof damaged along with medical supplies. Water Source Four (4) fibreglass water tanks, 1 tank is full and 3 are half full. Water sources are contaminated and cannot sustain community for more than 2 weeks. Cleanliness & Bush toilets are damaged and there is no hand washing soaps in the community. Hygiene Total of 9 households need hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, including fruit trees. 12 chickens recorded death during TC PAM. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

7. Vaima Village

Population 16 peoples Households Total of 3 households. Infrastructure Main roads are completed damaged, cover with logs and debris transported from hurricane force wind, flooding and rough sea swell. Damages are beyond community capacity, need of relevant resources are requires to support community clear and maintain road. Road is still not accessible. Safe House No safe house in the community due to flooding and landslide, people are being (Evacuation Centre) evacuated to Sangava village. Community Building - 1 private store completely destroyed. Water Source 1 underground well completely destroyed by flooding and 1 empty water tank. Community is in immediate need for water assistance. Currently there is no water source to sustain people in the community. Cleanliness & Bush toilets are damaged and there is no hand washing soaps in the community. Hygiene Total of 3 households need hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, and landslide including fruit trees. 12 chickens recorded death during TC PAM. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

8. Makatu titi / Reisu Village

Population 10 peoples Households Total of 3 households. Infrastructure Feeder roads are damaged.

Safe House There is no safe house in the village. People use their hot air drier to hide during (Evacuation Centre) TC PAM. Community Building - Church building and community nakamal completely destroyed.

Water Source 1 underground well, 1 water tank and 1 hand pump well. All water sources are contaminated. Community is does not have any safe drinking water. Reisu community is in immediate need for water assistance. Cleanliness & Bush toilets are damaged and there is no hand washing soaps in the community. Hygiene Total of 3 households need hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, including fruit trees. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

9. Makatea Village

Population 42 peoples Households Total of 11 households. Full damaged houses 8, small damage 4, kitchen damage 11 and 11 toilets were completely damaged. Infrastructure Main roads and feeder roads were completely damaged and cover with logs and debris. Damages were beyond man powers, immediate assistance is require to support community to repair and maintain the roads. Safe House 1 private house for Teacher Louie Kelep that has been used as safe house during (Evacuation Centre) TC PAM. Community Building - Two Church building, 2 nakamals and 1 local store house completely destroyed. Water Source 1 water tank. Water contaminated and filled with debris.

Cleanliness & Bush toilets are damaged and there is no hand washing soaps in the community. Hygiene Total of 11 households need hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, including fruit trees. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

10. Tongamea Village

Population 145 peoples Households Total of 40 households. Infrastructure Main roads and feeder roads completely damaged cover with logs and debris. Damages were beyond man power, need immediate assistance to repair roads. Safe House There are 4 private houses has been used as safe house / evacuation centres (Evacuation Centre) during TC PAM. Total of 50 people have been safe at the 4 houses. Community Building Two Church building, 2 nakamals and 2 local store houses as been completely destroyed. Water Source 1 underground well, 1 hand pump and 16 water tanks all water sources are contaminated and fill with debris. Amount of water is not enough and not safe to sustain community for 15 days or more. Cleanliness & Bush toilets are damaged and there is no hand washing soaps in the community. Hygiene Total of 40 households need hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by gale force winds and flooding, crops & Animals including fruit trees strip bare and uprooted. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

11. Sangava Village

Population 250 peoples Households Total of 52 households. Infrastructure Main roads and feeder roads are completely damaged, cover with logs and debris. Damages were beyond man power, need immediate assistance to repair roads. Safe House There are 4 private houses and New Covenant Church building that has been used (Evacuation Centre) as evacuation centres. Total of 227 occupants safe at the safe houses. Community Building 1 Pre-School building completely destroyed 3 Church houses, 2 were completely destroyed 4 Community nakamal’s completely destroyed 7 local store houses were completely destroyed Water Source 1 Spring water contaminated with salt water transported from rough sea swells 1 underground well damaged 1 hand-pump damaged 131 Water tanks; 16 tanks half full, 8 tanks us empty and 7 tanks were damaged. Cleanliness & Bush toilets are damaged and there is no hand washing soaps in the community. Hygiene Total of 52 households need hand washing soaps. Agriculture Root Agriculture root crops are completely destroyed by strong force wind and crops & Animals flooding, including fruit trees. Communication TVL and Digicel tower are damaged. All radio outlets have not been reachable since TC PAM aftermath.

Recommendations:

1. Water: An estimate 95% of water sources on Emae Island are damaged and contaminated. Amount of water from all water sources are contaminated and insufficient which cannot sustained each community for 15 days or more. All communities on Emae are most affected, immediate need for water assistance is require for the island, include water rehabilitation for cement wells, underground well and hand pump.

Most Affected Village: o Sasake o Marae o Tabakoro o Makatu-titi o Sangava o Finonge o Vaima o Makatea o Tongamea o Siwo o Vaitini

- There are two (2) natural water sources on Emae Island, from the hill on the villages of Makatea and Makatuna-titi that require water PCV pipes and fitting in order to provide drinking water to other villages, school and the health centre and can also supply water to Makira and Mataso if possible.

2. Food: Agriculture root crops (Food) are completely destroyed. Remains can only sustain the communities for less than 2 weeks. Therefore immediate need for food supplies is require, and supply of root crops and vegetable seeds for replanting.

3. Economic Live: Copra as one of the main source that the people of Emae Island generate incoming revenue. After the tropical cyclone PAM aftermath coconut trees are badly damaged which will affects copra production and marketing for 5 to 10 years. Therefore Emae including Makira and Mataso should be declared as Disaster Zone.

4. Health Centre: Vaimauri health centre roof is partly damaged along with medical supplies. Immediate roofing repair is required to repair roof and ceilings. Medical supplies has been damaged by flooding, therefore immediate assistance for medical supplies is needed for the health centre.

Marae Aid Post: Building completely damaged. Need for Iron roofs and other building materials to construct the building, for the safe keeping of medical supplies. Medical supplies are also damaged, need for immediate health aid.

5. Primary School: Worarana & Nofo Primary and Junior Secondary School building roofs and resources are partly damages. Immediate assistance for iron roof and other building materials is required for repair and maintenance of the school building in order to allow school to continue its normal programs.

6. Infrastructure Road: Main roads on Emae that were damaged by Flooding, Coastal Erosion, Landslide are; Makatuna-titi, Makatea, Tongamea, Finonge, Sangava and Marae Village. Damages are beyond community capacity, therefore it require heavy duty machines to clear heavy rocks, trees / logs and ground from landslide.