SHEFA AERIAL ASESSMENT

INTRODUCTION

Due to the severe impact of Cyclone Pam as experienced on Efate, the SHEFA Provincial Headquarter initiated an aerial assessment to assess the impact of the Cyclone Pam on the Shepherd Islands and the Efate Outer Islands.

The Assessment team who undertook the aerial assessment includes; Erickson Sammy (Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources - DGMWR), Ian Kalsuak (SHEFA Provincial Council), Obed Tabi (DGMWR) and Loic Telem (VBTC).

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITES

The assessment was undertaken on March 15, 2015 with the Air Taxi flight leaving Port Vila at around 13:30hrs. The flight went all the way to Santo passing through Malekula, landing on Santo at around 14:30hrs. The flight left Santo at 15:45hrs the same day and flying passed Ambrym and through Epi, the Shepherd Islands and Nguna.

The assessment was undertaken by observations from the air by the assessment team as well as photos taken using the low pixel digital cameras. The VBTC officer had a bigger video camera taking shots from the air.

ASSESSMENT RESULTS

The islands of Malekula and Santo were not severely affected by the cyclone as observed by the assessment team. Ambrym seems affected especially on the South Eastern part of the Island.

The assessment results of Epi, the Shepherd Islands, and the Efate Outer Islands are provided below. Epi Island  A lot of houses are roofless or totally destroyed  Road blocks are visible from the air with fallen trees on the road  Gardens and trees are totally destroyed  River Flooding is visible where most gardens were swept down to the sea  Coastal Flooding is also visible  Landslides were happening in most part of Epi Figure 1 Coastal Flooding, Damaged houses, damaged gardens and landslides on Epi

Tongoa  Most houses were destroyed and roofless  Gardens and trees totally destroyed  Road blocks were visible with fallen trees  Schools were damaged

Figure 2 Damaged houses in Tongoa

Tongariki  Most houses were destroyed and roofless  Gardens and trees totally destroyed  Schools were damaged

Figure 3 Damaged houses on Tongariki

Buninga  Most houses were destroyed and roofless  Gardens and trees totally destroyed  Schools were damaged

Figure 4 Damaged houses on Buninga

Emae  Most houses were destroyed and roofless  Gardens and trees totally destroyed  Road blocks were visible with fallen trees  Schools were damaged  Coastal Flooding was also visible

Figure 5 Damaged houses on Emae

Makira  Most houses were destroyed and roofless  Gardens and trees totally destroyed  Coastal Flooding was observed to go right through the village

Figure 6 Coastal Flooding on Makira

Mataso  Most houses were destroyed and roofless  Gardens and trees totally destroyed  Coastal Flooding was observed to go right through the village

Figure 7 Coastal Flooding on Mataso

Nguna  Most houses were destroyed and roofless  Gardens and trees totally destroyed  Coastal Flooding was also observed

RECOMMENDATIONS

• A rapid assessment is urgently required for the Shepherds islands to collect information on immediate needs and also to address any casualty needs. • A rapid assessment is also urgently required for PENAMA and TAFEA provinces considering the severe impact as observe on the Shepherd Islands.