Disasters, Conflicts and Migration
|
Natural Disasters |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Type |
Occurs |
Comments / Details |
|
Drought |
Yes |
Rarotonga relies on rainwater for its source of drinking water so is subject to shortages during prolonged dry periods, however this has never resulted in an emergency situation. The Outer Islands are not affected in this way as they use bores for sourcing water. |
|
Earthquakes |
No |
According to the earthquake hazard predictions, Cook Islands are situated in a relatively quiet seismic area and have low chance of experiencing a strong earthquake in the next 50 years. Nonetheless, the larger tectonic area of Pacific “Ring of Fire” can in the future generate tsunamis that may affect Cook Islands' shores (PCRAFI, 2011). |
|
Epidemics |
Yes |
Outbreaks of Dengue fever occur from time to time but are quickly contained and there have been no deaths recorded from it in the past 10 years |
|
Extreme Temperatures |
No |
|
|
Flooding |
Yes |
Flooding can occur to low-lying areas as a result of king tides and wave surges. This is generally not life-threatening. |
|
Insect Infestation |
No |
|
|
Mudslides |
No |
|
|
Volcanic Eruptions |
No |
|
|
High Waves / Surges |
Yes |
Disasters like tsunamis may pose threats to human lives and the infrastructure of the Cook Islands in the future. In 1909, a tsunami with waves of up to three metres high caused damage to roads, bridges and crops in Rarotonga. |
|
Wildfires |
No |
|
|
High Winds |
Yes |
Tropical cyclones are the single most likely natural hazard to affect the Cook Islands, with cyclone season falling between November and April. In the 41-year period between 1969 and 2010, a total of 47 tropical cyclones passed within 400 km of Rarotonga, an average of just over one cyclone per season. The number of cyclones varies widely from year to year, with none in some seasons, but up to six in others. Over the period 1969 to 2010, cyclones occurred more frequent in El Niño years. |
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Other Comments |
|
|
|
Man-Made Issues |
||
|
Civil Strife |
No |
|
|
International Conflict |
No |
|
|
Internally Displaced Persons |
No |
|
|
Refugees Present |
No |
|
|
Landmines / UXO Present |
No |
|
|
Other Comments |
|
|
For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters.
Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities
|
Seasonal Effects on Transport |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Transport Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
|
Primary Road Transport |
From July - Sept |
Some flooding may occur to low lying areas. Effects are short term (3-4 days) |
|
Secondary Road Transport |
From July - Sept |
Some flooding may occur to low lying areas. Effects are short term (3-4 days) |
|
Rail Transport |
No |
|
|
Air Transport |
No |
|
|
Waterway Transport |
Oct- April |
Cyclones may occur at this time of year causing rough seas and disruption to interisland shipping |
There are no seasonal periods that cause disruption to transport or storage other than those occasional and relatively rare weather events mentioned in the tables above.
|
Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Activity Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
|
Storage |
July - April |
Wet season and running into Cyclone season may cause some problems with low lying storage facilities but generally this is anticipated and goods are moved to storage at higher ground levels |
|
Handling |
July - April |
As above, avoiding handling some stores in wet conditions can cause minor delays. |
|
Other |
||
There are generally no seasonal bottlenecks.
Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response
Government
The Government is well placed to respond to emergencies and has an on-going program to strengthen the country’s capability.
The Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) is the designated governmental division charged with ensuring the maintenance of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) plan and all necessary sub-plans for the Cook Islands. It is the coordinating body between other humanitarian actors in the region including the UN agencies (regionally based in Fiji and Somoa), Cook Islands Red Cross Society, the Adventist Disaster Relief Association (ADRA) and the civil agencies of Police and Infrastructure Cook Islands. EMCI will also coordinate with the NZ and French military and NZ Aid organisation in events that require their assistance. A cluster system is being finalised whereby specific organisations will take a lead role in key areas such as health, emergency communications, education, protection etc.
It is planned to establish a Cook Islands Civil Defence Organisation by 2023
The declaration of a disaster is the responsibility of the Prime Minister acting upon input from the EMCI, the Police and Meteorological Service At the declaration, the Police Commissioner – as the National Disaster Controller- activates the operation of the National Operations Centre based at Blue Sky, the national telecommunications provider. At this point, all stakeholders and first responders (EMCI, Police, Ministry Of Health, Blue Sky, Red Cross) and other relevant stakeholders and specialists commence response.
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.
Humanitarian Community
The Cook Islands Red Cross Society (CIRCS) and the Adventist Disaster Relief Association (ADRA) are present and active in the Cook Islands. Both organisations have contingency stocks of disaster relief items stored in country. The UN agencies whilst not permanently represented in country work with the EMCI through their regional offices in Fiji and Samoa on disaster preparedness and relief programs
Red Cross has offices on 9 of the 12 inhabited islands implementing programs working with communities to adapt to climate change and tackling communicable and non-communicable diseases in addition to cyclone relief efforts. They maintain contingency stocks of disaster relief supplies on all of the inhabited islands. ADRA provides disaster relief food and shelter funding through its partners, Red Cross and the UN agencies.
For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List.
Further information on Cook Islands Disaster Management and Disaster Preparedness can be accessed at: http://www.emci.gov.ck/ and in Appendix 5.8 UNDP Cook Islands Country Preparedness Package
