Warnings for an impending disastrous cyclone are received within 72 hours (3 days) in which people are given ample time to make preparations for their safety and well-being.

With the start of cyclone season creeping around the corner, from November to April, Non-Government-Organisations (NGO’s) on Rarotonga are preparing vulnerable members of the community in the event of disaster.

Are Pa Metua coordinator Moana-O-Liliuokalani Marsters hosted a session displaying items such as clothing, tin food, water bottle, knife and nappies as a reminder of what to pack in preparation for an emergency.

“It is best to be well prepared, especially for our elderly and vulnerable, and to have a bag packed nearby.

“Let’s be prepared and work as a team,” said Marsters.

Creative Centre manager Danny Tixier welcomed the presentation and noted that anything that helps their organisations in times of a disaster, is great.

For persons with low mobility at the Creative Centre, transportation would be an issue to getting to higher and or/or safer ground, said Tixier.

Important work of the Cook Islands Red Cross Society is to prepare the community to respond to a disaster whether it be a cyclone, tsunami, fire, or a pandemic.

Red Cross Secretary General, Fine Tu'itupou-Arnold said the most important thing for elderly and people living with disabilities is to know the location of their village evacuation centre.

“It is really important to have a connection with your Puna (community centre) in your district, make sure your Puna knows where you are (before the disaster strikes),” said Tu'itupou-Arnold.

Whenever there is a cyclone there is always a three day warning because the movements and the strength of a cyclone can be tracked, she said.

 “Seventy-hours is enough time for people to prepare (for a cyclone).

“The most important thing in a cyclone is safety for people, and that we make sure that everyone is safe, and we need to be in a safe environment to have good shelter.”

Communication with the Puna was important when people need to be moved to a safer house or the village evacuation centre, she said.

Emergency packs should also include any vital medication.

The gathering was hosted by Are Pa Metua coordinator Moana-O-Liliuokalani Marsters, with the attendance of Secretary General Cook Islands Red Cross Society - Fine Tu'itupou-Arnold, Creative Centre manager - Danny Tixier and his team, Mereina Herman and Peter Morrison from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAFF).

On June 22, 2023, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Apia Samoa said Pacific communities are advised to prepare for the potential impacts of an El Niño, with the latest El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Outlook shifting from El Niño Watch to El Niño Alert.

The alert means there is approximately a 70 per cent chance of El Niño forming in 2023, roughly three times the normal chance of an El Niño.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

It occurs on average every two to seven years, and episodes usually last nine to 12 months or more.