Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) New Zealand is working with the Cook Islands Red Cross in Aitutaki and has so far carried out initial assessments of the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Pat, a category 3 cyclone that flattened much of the island and destroyed homes and schools in February of this year
Current Response:
ADRA is currently engaged in supporting the response phase in partnership with the Cook Islands Red Cross. A total of 2.5 tonnes of food has been purchased for distribution to the families most affected by the cyclone. In addition, seven family-size tents have been purchased and Air New Zealand will be transporting these to Rarotonga within 24 hours, for ongoing transport to Aitutaki.
ADRA, in partnership with Sanitarium Health Food Company has provided breakfast cereal to meet the needs of the 513 children on the island for 20 days. Air NZ will transport half of the breakfast cereal within 24 hours to Rarotonga, while the remaining half will be transported by boat from Auckland to Aitutaki with an ETA of 5 March.
Proposed Recovery Plan for Aitutaki:
1) ADRA will provide up to NZ$100,000 for recovery activities. The funds will be sourced from ADRA NZ’s HAF (Humanitarian Action Fund) block grant from NZAid. These funds will be used for general recovery-related activities, and include provision for the employment of a project manager to manage the project. Our local partner, the SDA Mission, would oversee implementation of the project.
2) ADRA NZ is fund-raising for the re-building of the Adventist School on Aitutaki, which was severely damaged by the storm. All monies raised will be applied to assist in the rebuilding project.
3) Through the network of SDA churches in New Zealand and Australia we are enlisting the volunteer services of teams of trades-people, builders, plumbers and electricians – who are prepared to assist with the rebuilding process. This project has the full support of the Mayor of Aitutaki, Tai Herman. We are currently seeking expressions of interest from any professional trades people who are willing to be involved.
“Through this initial response-phase we have chosen to work with the Sanitarium Health Food Company to provide nutritious breakfasts for the teachers and students of Aitutaki” said ADRA NZ country director, Mr. Clinton Rappell. “We know that in addition to providing the nutrition to sustain the students, we are also creating an informal forum where students may work through issues resulting from this shared trauma. At the same time these shared breakfasts are an important step in rebuilding a strong community spirit.”
ADRA NZ has combined with the Sanitarium Health Food Company to provide boxes of cereals while local suppliers are donating fruit, milk, bread and spreads to cater for the needs of more than 550 students and teaching staff.
As the results of our preliminary assessments are revealed, it is evident that the local SDA Mission will play an important part in the rebuilding process. There have been severe housing losses, with widespread damage to water and sanitation facilities. The damage to waste-management facilities has raised the spectre of disease and hygiene issues are major areas of concern for all humanitarian agencies.
New Zealand SDA churches have a strong connection to the Pacific Islands and this latest situation has demonstrated just how important it is for agencies like ADRA to be ready to respond rapidly with initial assessments, early recovery strategies and long-term development plans that will re-establish normality for those severely affected by natural disasters.
Over the past few months, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands have been struck by unforeseen natural disasters. ADRA has been there in each case and provided a range of appropriate interventions to re-knit communities, which have been devastated. The support of our supporters has made it possible for ADRA to “be there” for so many people in their time of need.
To contribute to the Aitutaki Cyclone Response please CLICK HERE and type Aitutaki Cyclone in the message box. Call 0800 4 999111 to contribute via the phone
