“Cyclone Evanda” hits Lauli’i

At exactly 10am yesterday in the coastal village of Lauli’i, the bell was rung signalling the coming of Cyclone Evanda.

The streets were filled with people running seeking a refuge on the higher grounds.

During the onslaught of the cyclone, there were six casualties and close to ten people injured. Three boys went missing; they were found lying in the river cutting through the village and only one of them survived. In the nearby Lauli’i Primary School, injured children were taken care off.

These were the scenes during a simulation exercise in the village of Lauli’i as part of the Community Disaster and Climate Risk Management Project.

The simulation exercise coordinated by Adventist Disaster Relief Agency Samoa (A.D.R.A.), the Disaster Management Office, the Red Cross, and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority tested the preparedness and the way how the village will response to disasters such as Cyclones.

As per the evaluation of the Red Cross, Lemau Afamasaga explained that in terms of commitment and response and the availability of such in the village, “they did really well.”

However, she points out the need for a bit more training on what they do; their certain roles and responsibilities during the disaster and a bit more structure on how to respond.

Specifically, she said that the village needs to develop a good body management and they need to understand the locations to where they will bring the people who are seriously injured, “How to manage the victims and where they give the priorities to.”

She added that the management of the evacuation centre also needs improvement.

“(Evacuation Centre) supposed to register whoever comes in, ensure that these people are taken care of, (also) find out whether they want to be together with their families and then we can work to put them together and then provide basic necessities like food, water and clothing.”

“The committee was there present, it’s a good sign. But fulfilling the roles, were not quite there yet we need a bit more training.”

Meanwhile Matau Esau of the F.E.S.A., saw several things that needs to be improved.

Among them is the lifting techniques, “, I saw a lot of rescuers coming to help people and they just pick up the body or the injured victims and put them in a door or improvised stretcher or a truck, they need to have good skills and knowledge on how to improvise and how to take care when they deal with the victims.”

Before the simulation, eight response teams were put in place namely: Rescue Committee, First-Aid Committee, Shelter Management Committee, Damage Assessment Committee, Counselling Committee, Safety Committee, Water and Sanitation Committee, and Project Management. The D.M.O. will soon be providing 100 vests, 200 solar lights, 50 rain coats and 50 directories to the committees involved. Prior to yesterday, the D.M.O., the F.E.S.A., the Ministry of Police, the Ministry of Health, Red Cross and other Non Government Organizations conducted trainings to teach the village the proper emergency response.