Water shortage
SITUATION REPORT
Incident/Event: Water Shortage on Aniwa
Strep No: 01
Date: 15 February 2013 Time: 8.00
From: Director
To: Chairman - NDC
Copies to: Director General - MFEM
Operation Manager
SITUATION GENERAL
The NDMO held its first emergency stalk holders meeting this morning to get an update on the situation as it is on Aniwa. This meeting was held between the NDMO, VHT and WASH cluster members. The meeting also highlighted some actions which must be carried out immediately to address the situation on Aniwa island.
Weather Update Summary Statements
Rainfall for January 2012:
Rainfall for the past Month (January) was above normal for Sola, Normal for Pekoa and Aneityum, while Lamap, Bauerfield, Port Vila and Whitegrass recorded below normal rainfall.
Accumulated rainfall for November 2012–January 2013, including outlook verification.
Total Rainfall for the past three months (November 2012 to January 2013) was above normal for Sola, Pekoa and Lamap stations. Normal rainfall was recorded for Bauerfield, Whitegrass and Aneityum while Port Vila recorded below normal rainfall.
Forecast was consistent for Sola, Port Vila and Whitgrass. Near – Consistent for Pekoa, Bauerfield and Aneityum. While forecast for Lamap was inconsistent.
Outlooks for March–May 2013:
1. SCOPIC:
Using SST 1&9;
Ø Northern Region : Above normal rainfall is favoured for Pekoa, Normal rainfall is favoured for Sola and Lamap. ( Confidence: Low to Moderate)
Ø Southern Region: Above Below normal rainfall is favoured for all stations except Port Vila which favours below normal rainfall. ( Confidence : Very Low to Good)
Ø Overall normal to Above normal rainfall is favoured for the next three months. ( Confidence : Low)
Using SOI;
Ø Overall below normal rainfall is favoured for the next three months ( Confidence : Low)
2. POAMA:
Ø Rainfall for the months March to January equally favours Above and below normal rainfall for Port Vila Station. 3.
3.Aniwa Island
The island of Aniwa located in Tafea Province has a total estimated population of 500 people. There are two main villages on the island. Aniwa which is known for being one of the most vulnerable islands in Vanuatu is consistently and currently being affected by a Drought since December 2012.
Earlier yesterday afternoon there was an initial assessment by the NDMO via phone, on the situation with Mr. James Alfred, Aniwa Red Cross Chairman
2. Phone Call Initial Assessment on ground with James Alfred on Friday 15th 2013.
Mr Alfred James updated the situation by phone to verify the information received from Mr. Shadrack Welegtabit, Director -NDMO.
He detailed the affected population of Aniwa are currently facing difficulties with the current situation on the island. They are experiencing a long period of sun with no rain since December 2012 up to date. It is causing a lot of concern as the drought impact has been increasing rapidly.
3. Impacts experiencing
Ø Shortage of fresh drinking water
Ø Falling leaves on Mango, Naus and other trees
Ø Vegetation has withered, leaves are becoming yellow and banana leaves are becoming dry.
Ø It is also affecting children especially noticed with red eye, cough etc….
Ø They are sharing water at this moment, and the risk is that there will be no more fresh drinking water within the next two weeks.
Ø Parched earth or ground
POTENTIAL RISKS:
The report is indicating that most people are sharing underground water and most of the well owners are decreasing the use of their wells as it is getting too shallow and they are concern that the wells might get damaged during the hot sun, etc. This observation will need further assessment on the ground.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
1. The Vanuatu Red Cross Volunteer and the Area Council Secretary on Aniwa will make a head count of everyone present on the island for clearer verification on the current population;
2. The NDMO must organised a Rapid Assessment Team to Aniwa immediately consisting of NDMO, WASH, Agriculture, Health and Education cluster members to get more detail report on the ground;
3. The NDMO to arrange the trip for the rapid assessment team to Aniwa. (The Government will meet airline tickets but supporting agencies will need to support their own staff on the ground in terms of DSA);
4. The NDMO must work together with Tafea Provincial Government and other partner agencies to address the situation on water shortages on Aniwa;
5. Meet and update the NDC on this latest situation and seek assistance for this assessment;
6. NDMO to liaise with partner agencies to put together relief items ready for shipment to Aniwa after the rapid assessment; and
7. NDMO to liaise with ship owners to ship relief items to Aniwa.
8. Next stalk holders meeting will be convened when the rapid assessment team arrived back in Port Vila.