A DISASTER assessment team based in Lata, Temotu Province had been deployed to the Reef Islands yesterday following damages caused by cyclone Pam over the weekend.
This was confirmed by the Temotu Provincial Premier Baddley Soakifono.
He said the team will conduct assessment on damages caused to food gardens, tree plants, homes and properties.
Following the cyclone, reports had it that all food gardens, food trees, few homes and properties on the island have been blown down and washed away by the strong wind and heavy rain.
Mr Soakifono said, the province can only deploy a team to the Reefs because its closer to Lata.
“We can only deploy a team to Reef Islands and other villages and communities close to Santa Cruz while for other outer islands, assessment team would need to travel by ship.”
Therefore, the Premier is appealing to the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to arrange for a ship to travel further east inorder to fast track assessment in the outer islands.
“Anuta is the worst badly hit island, while for other islands only the food gardens and food trees were blown and washed away by heavy rain and strong wind.”
By DENVER NEWTER
