Aitutaki disaster a wake up call

It should be a concern to aid agencies donating funds to the recovery of Aitutaki from Cyclone Pat that the very body responsible for ensuring structures meet acceptable standards and the island was prepared, is leading the response and recovery phase.
It is now apparent that many of the damaged structures and electrical fittings and wiring did not meet acceptable standards. Which body is responsible for the issue of building permits and inspections? The Aitutaki Council. The same Council that under the Disaster Risk Management Act 2007, section 15, assists in the response and recovery phase. Under section 15 (4) the Council appoints a Disaster Coordinator after consulting with the Director (of EMCI). The person so appointed is the Mayor of Aitutaki Tai Herman.
Central government should immediately seize all Council records pertaining to building permits and Aitutaki Power records pertaining to electrical wiring in readiness for an official enquiry to follow.
The Herald spoke with EMCI Director Charles Carlson on Wednesday morning. The Herald put it to Carlson that the legislation should have provided for the appointment of an independent, non-political, person to be in overall charge and with the necessary powers to take appropriate action and requisition needed services, equipment or personnel. According to Carlson, Herman has been effective and is doing a good job.
Carlson agrees with a scenario that sees a separate Ministry or Agency set up as in New Zealand for Civil Defence and adequately staffed and resourced. EMCI is a small, two man unit under the Police. The Police Commissioner being the National Controller under the Act. EMCI is not a service provider said Carlson but a coordinator of the agencies. EMCI makes sure all agencies have their disaster plans for response, in place.
The Disaster Management structure as provided for under the Act appears cluttered and perhaps should be streamlined or simplified. Too many chiefs may lead to conflicting demands in regard to priorities (see organization chart).
Indeed, local MP Teina Bishop has resorted to doing his own thing because he perceives government’s organization is not delivering and delivering quick enough.
Carlson points out that government has no powers over nature, climate or rough seas. The container vessel was unable to land much needed supplies due to bad weather. But he is happy with progress. He believes there are enough bodies on the ground, just a lack of supplies.
Whatever disaster plan the Aitutaki Council has in place, it needs improvement. Clearly there was a lack of preparedness. Being the hurricane season and with the five yearly El Nino cycle at hand, food and supplies should have been stored in readiness in the event of a cyclone. Indeed the prediction was for a minimum of three cyclones. To date four cyclones have entered our boundaries.
Buildings and structures should have been checked and roofs secured.
Any government enquiry must investigate preparedness and mitigation. The role of the Council must be examined.
Carlson mentioned he had heard reports that a tornado or series of tornados may have occurred. If this is the case, perhaps homes should not only be cyclone proofed but built to cope with a tornado.
Carlson said a draft recovery plan has been completed and sent out to interested parties by e-mail for comment. Cabinet will discuss the draft on Thursday.
Carlson indicated more resources would be needed if his unit was to stay on stop on policy and procedure development. The Herald referred to the 2007 legislation coming into force without any accompanying policies and procedures. The Aitutaki cyclone caught government on the hop and now it is making policy on the hoof. Carlson said the cyclone has been a learning experience.
The Herald suggested that successive governments must have realized that in the event of a disaster, aid donors putting up money for recovery, would want to know how those funds would be dispersed, what the policy was in terms of setting of priorities and procedures for ensuring accountability and evaluation.
Hopefully Cyclone Pat will have been a wake up call for government.