Cyclone Emergency Assistance Project (CEAP)

Between 4 February and 8 March 2005, the Cook Islands experienced five damaging cyclones within a period of five weeks, four of which were assigned a severity rating in Category 5 and caused damage to homes and essential public infrastructure. The Government and its agencies provided early warning information dissemination, evacuation and emergency relief to the affected population with the support of international and regional relief agencies. Following the cyclones the Government assessed the physical damage but it lacked all of the capacity and resources to finance the immediate recovery and reinstatement of basic services.

On 30 June 2005 the ADB approved a loan for the Cyclone Emergency Assistance Loan Project for the sum of US$2.85 million, effective from the 14th July 2005. The loan was to mitigate social and economic impact of the cyclone damage by providing the necessary concessional resources to assist the Government implement a comprehensive recovery programme.  The total cost of the CEA Project is estimated at US$7.9 million.
 
The 2005 cyclones highlighted the need for a long-term national climate change adaptation strategy and an integrated infrastructure development plan which incorporates climate change adaptation concepts. The strategy and plan should include policies and priorities both to support economic and social development and protect the country’s basic infrastructure against weather-related impacts.
 
As with most Pacific island states, the Cook Islands’ social infrastructure is ill-prepared against weather related vulnerability as highlighted under the Climate Change Adaptation Project for the Pacific. The inherent geographical vulnerability of the country to climate change can be ameliorated by initiating integrated infrastructure and social development, including human resources development. Consequently, there is a need for ‘climate proofing’ the country, that is, for enhancing the country’s adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change, including the impacts of extreme events. Strengthening disaster management and mitigation capacity will help to ensure that future social and infrastructure programs will incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies..... (Taken from the Inception Report May 2006)

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Comments and Feedback on the reports above can be forwarded by email to:
Cyclone Emergency Assisstance Project
email: ceap1@oyster.net.ck Or
email: ta4605@oyster.net.ck