Flooding and Landslide in the Solomon Islands Province of Makira/Ulawa following very heavy rain in the Province as of Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd of June 2012.
Situation Description:
Flash Floods and Landslides affected parts of Makira/Ulawa Province. This was the result of very heavy rain that was experienced in the Province over the weekend (Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd of June 2012). There has not been any major weather related reasons that analysts from SIMS could verify as to the cause of the heavy rain. However, we are certain that during the period leading to the dates of the heavy rain, there has been a Trough lies to the South of the Solomon Islands with a general Easterly trades wind flow that persists over the Solomon Islands. Rainfall data supplied by the SIMS Climatology Section, obtained from the Volunteer Station located in Kira Kira has indicated that Flash Flood occurred in the early hours of Saturday 2nd June 2012. This was due to excess rainfall which exceeds 241.2mm.
Status:
Significant impacts were localized around the North and North-Eastern parts of Makira/Ulawa Province Main Island. Fortunately there were no fatalities or injuries.
The flash floods claimed total of 11 dwelling houses in three wards, one in ward 11, two in ward 12 and eight in ward 13.
Elsewhere the Flash Flood and Landslide has impacted on a total of 106 communities in seven wards, affecting food gardens and other livelihoods of around1200 households with an approximate population of 7235.
Data collected by the Provincial Disaster Assessment Teams (PDAT) deployed to the affected areas to conduct Initial Damaged and Needs Assessments has confirmed around 90% to 100% of food gardens in 106 communities were destroyed in Wards 8, 9,10 11, 12, 13, and 14. Farmers lost cash crops (cocoa, coconuts, kava) and livestock (pigs). Please refer to the map attached (Source: SI NDMO DIMS Unit).
Provincial Assistance:
The MUP PDC had convened a series of meetings. In the PDC meeting held on Friday 15th June 2012, the PDC have decided on the following Resolutions.
Resolutions/Decision Outcome from the meeting
- PDC has launched and appeal for support (financial and in-kind)
- The appeal are Province-wide, particularly targeting the wards that are not affected
- Has allocated a room to be used as collection point for any assistance received. It is under the supervision of the
- Deputy Provincial Secretary (DPS) Note that already assistance have been received.
National Assistance:
The NEOC have being activated on standby to closely monitor the current situation and provide technical support to the MUP PDMO and PDC.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has deployed a team of two technical support-staff to assist the MUP PDMO in collating and analyzing raw assessment data and compilation of this event’s assessment report.
The N-DOC has convened a series of meetings to ensure cluster leads activate their members and to make resources available to support. The Logistics and Support Cluster and other National Cluster has been activated to support in the deployment of National Resources to support MUP. Key Ministries worth taking note of are: FINANCE, HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, RURAL DEVELOPMENT. This would be the key ministries to support emergency relief and recovery
The Office of the Prime Minister (PMO) has been kept up-to-date on all matters regarding this disaster through SITREPs.
International Assistance:
Have not requested any support as yet. It may be required later but this request will be through INGOS, UN Agencies who are members of the clusters. The idea would be to mobilise their resources available in country first.
Future Operations:
Currently the MUP PDMO is collating and analysing all the field assessment data.
To this date, the key needs are already being identified and a Recovery Action Plan is near completion and will be circulated once completed.
The NDMO is currently developing a Response Budget for submission to the Cabinet. This Response Budget will not only for this current disaster but will also include other past disaster relief such include the relief for Renbel, Temotu Outer Islands (Anuta and Tikopia) and Ontong Java.
However, once funds are made available, the MUP response is the top priority.
Recommendations:
Based on the assessment’s findings, needs are identified in the following key sectors; Agriculture, Shelter, Education, Water Supply and Sanitation, and Health. The identified needs form the basis of the Recovery Action Plan. Please note that the NEOC will circulate the Recovery Action Plan of-behalf of the MUP PDMO and PDC once finalise draft is completed. However, for the sake of your organization interest, below is the short term (immediate priority needs). Note that for the detail of all the Priorities (Short, Medium and Long Terms) please wait for the recovery Action Plan soon to be circulated.
Highest Priority Needs, Short Term (Immediate)
- A one off food distribution and vegetable seed must be undertaken immediately.
- A one off NFI and Temporary shelter distribution must be undertaken
- The Ministry of Health through Kira Kira Health teams mobilize a team to undertake the following activities:
- - Satellite clinics to affected communities
- - Restock Medical Supplies to affected communities
- Immediate installation of rain water harvesting systems – water tanks to affected areas including schools and clinics
- Establishment of Temporary classroom in Manihagaro Primary School and restocking of text books
On the above note, it is the wish of the Government that Early Recovery of communities is imperative and that agency implementing the recovery program work in partnership with the Provincial Government and community leaders. The success of the Action Plan lies on the integration, collaboration and coordination among all Government Agencies and stakeholders involved one way or another in this disaster management.
Evaluation:
It is now imminent that the MUP Provincial Government will require National assistance. This is because the scope of the impact is beyond the Province capability to respond.
Therefore, based on the analysed data and the short term immediate needs, it is a must that all relevant sectors and NGOs in the N-DOC Clusters must now organise and prepare themselves to assist in the an Emergency Relief Operation that will be initiated soon.
NEOC Activation:
The NEOC will continue to work closely with the PDMOs’ and its relevant Stakeholders’ and Partners to respond appropriately and effectively to this event.
Assessment:
Assessments on the affected areas are now being completed and data are currently being collated and analysed by the MUP PEOC (PDMO).
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