UN HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE RESPONDS AFTER TYPHOON HITS MICRONESIA

UN HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE RESPONDS AFTER TYPHOON HITS MICRONESIA

NEW YORK, 4 December (OCHA) -- At the request of the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has sent a three-member Disaster Assessment Coordination Team (UNDAC) to support damage and needs assessment in the wake of a powerful tropical storm.  From 21 to 25 November, Typhoon/tropical storm Lupit passed through Chuuk state and Yap state of the Federal States of Micronesia.  The typhoon first hit the eastern part of Yap state on 23 November and intensified as it travelled through neighbouring islands.  Winds from the typhoon were estimated at 194 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 240 kilometres per hour.

Thanks to early warning and preparedness measures by the Government, no injuries or casualties have been reported as a direct result of the typhoon.  However, strong winds and tidal surge caused by the typhoon have affected communities in the low-lying areas of the neighbouring islands, particularly in the northern and western part of Yap state.

Preliminary reports indicate that contamination of water supplies has caused outbreaks of communicable diseases in some communities.  Inhabitants of isolated islands now need potable water.  In addition, in several low-lying areas the storm almost totally destroyed food crops, which are a major food source for some of the population.  Public facilities and properties, roads, and seawalls all sustained damage.  Approximately 200 homes have been destroyed.  There is an immediate need to provide shelter to the newly homeless.  Power distribution has also been disrupted throughout the state.

The government ship “Micro Spirit”, the major transportation resource available to the Government, has made its first delivery of relief items.  However, further distribution of relief supplies may be delayed because the ship requires repairs.  In addition, a private airline has assisted with water drops to the islands.  Food and water supplies from Guam and elsewhere are due to arrive on Friday, 5 December. 

The OCHA team, currently in the capital of Yap state, is in close contact with the Government, state government and the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) team.

      For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York, tel.:  917 367 5126, mobile:  917 892 1679; or Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel.:  41 22 917 2653, mobile:  41(0) 79 472 4570.

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