DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN SAMOA

Transcription

1 Workshop on Space Applications for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Second Workshop on the Use of Multi-Global Navigation Satellite Systems for Sustainable Development 5-77 March 2013, Bangkok, Thailand DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN SAMOA Titimanu Simi Senior Disaster Risk Reduction Officer Disaster Management Office Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment

2 Country Profile: Samoa Located south of the equator in the Pacific Ocean between latitudes and S and longitudes and W.

3 Country Profile: Samoa Samoa consists of four main islands and six smaller uninhabited islets with a total land mass of approximately 2,934 km 2 The islands are of volcanic origin and has a rugged and mountainous topography Due to its size and location, Samoa is highly vulnerable to natural disasters particularly tropical cyclones as it lies near the cyclone belt near the earthquake-generating Tonga Trench. Recent Major Natural Disasters Disaster Date Victims Costs Cyclone Ofa deaths US$140m Cyclone Val deaths US$300m Tsunami deaths US$125m Cyclone Evan deaths US$210m

4 Development of Disaster Management The Disaster Management Office was set up after the previous devastation caused by the tropical cyclones in the early nineties, not only to better prepare the country and general population for such disasters through public awareness campaigns but also to better coordinate and manage relief operations. The DMO which was previously under the Corporate Services Division of MNRE officially became a Division in In 2007, the Disaster and Emergency Management Act 2007 was enacted. In 2006, the National Disaster Management Plan was formulated but revised and expanded in 2010 to take into account several lessons learnt from the 2009 tsunami. Redefining specific roles and functions and restructuring the organizational framework of disaster management agencies.

5 Development of Disaster Management 2006 NDMP 2011 NDMP

6 Current Disaster Management Activities TC Evan 2012 Conducted an Initial Damage Assessment areas and families affected Distribution of relief aid to the severely affected families and to the evacuation shelters Flood Assessment of Vaisigano River Initial assessments of homes damaged by cyclone Post Disaster Needs Assessments conducted to account for damages and losses Implementation of Recovery Tsunami 2009 Tsunami inundation Modelling Assessment of affected/prone areas Establishing country-wide radio network Identifying evacuation sites/routes Tsunami evacuation drills Capacity building in preparedness and response mechanisms

7 Space-based Technology No Geo-DRM system in place due to the lack of local capacity and resources in the application of this technology to develop a comprehensive system for monitoring, archiving data and disseminating information down to the community. Use of GIS Unit under our Mapping Section of MNRE Access through the UN-SPIDER (United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response) a programme under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). UNOSAT, UNITAR, UNEP Other DRM data have been developed and provided bythrough foreign assistance from neighbouring countries including New Zealand and Australia i.e. Tsunami Inundation Modelling & Evacuation Maps funded by the New Zealand Government. Assistance from Pacific regional organizations such SOPAC and SPREP

8 Applications of Space-based Technology TC Evan Tracking Map provided by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) Fiji MET Services

9 Applications of Space-based Technology Map of Overview of damages from TC Evan. Provided by UNOSAT

10 Applications of Space-based Technology Map of destroyed or damaged homes from TC Evan. Provided by OCHA

11 Applications of Space-based Technology Map of Overview of Affected Areas by the 2009 Tsunami

12 Applications of Space-based Technology Tsunami Evacuation Zones Signs developed after the 2009 tsunami

13 Challenges Lack of awareness of available Information Providers and available data Lack of capacity to utilize and apply data in an effective and efficient way Lack of collaboration and communication with fellow regional member countries and organizations Lack of resources and expertise to guide and implement the use and application of space-based technologies Lack of information dissemination

14 Way Forward Increase awareness of information providers and data available Build local capacity to enable the effective and efficient utilization of available services and data Promote and encourage collaboration and communication amongst regional member countries and organizations To seek funding and training opportunities to increase the self-sufficiency of local programmes and officials Encourage and increase information dissemination to relevant actors and the public to improve Disaster Management across the board

15 Thank You