Government has estimated that the cost of damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Harold is at $100 million.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Disaster Management, Rural and Maritime Development Inia Seruiratu in his ministerial statement earlier this week.

These figures were based on Government’s co-ordinated Detailed Damage Assessment carried out from April 13 to 28.

Mr Seruiratu said damage to the agriculture sector had been estimated at around $27.8 million. He also said 90 per cent of crops were destroyed in the worst affected areas, with many of people’s subsistence crops ruined.

“This is quite significant as subsistence agriculture plays an important role in food security and our livelihoods,” he said.

He also highlighted that based on the data collected, 2227 houses have been damaged while 961 houses were completed destroyed in the four divisions. Damage was worth $24.4 million.

“Despite the swift response by Government in the form of tents and tarpaulins as temporary shelters, the number of affected houses is still quite significant and will require a major reconstruction effort,” he added.

Resilience plan

The National Disaster Management Office will develop an inter-sectoral recovery Tropical Cyclone Response and Resilience Plan to ensure sector-specific strategies and plans.

Mr Seruiratu said the plan would ensure an effective transition into longer-term recovery while building resilience in the affected communities.

Aid Co-ordination

The Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, France, China and Japan, together with international organisations, UN agencies, local businesses and civil society organisations have all assisted in helping with emergency response efforts.

A total of $7.4 million in assistance has been received with $4.1 million in cash and approximately $3.3 million worth of assistance in kind.

Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dengue, Diarrhoea

Mr Seruiratu said that in the aftermath of TC Harold and subsequent sustained rains and floods, hospitals had reported cases of Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dengue, Diarrhoea.

He said 1126 people were confirmed cases post TC Harold.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services developed an eradication campaign in an effort to reduce disease incidence and casualties.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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