Recovery plan for Aitutaki to manage disaster risk

Government hopes to spend over half a million dollars on improving Aitutaki’s disaster awareness following Cyclone Pat’s destruction last month.

As part of the $9.46 million cyclone recovery plan announced last week, a strategy has been put together to help the island better manage its disaster risk.

The recovery needs assessment showed that communities want to address their exposure to disaster risk by carrying out clean-up activities, improving early warning systems (such as the meteorological station), strengthen housing and public buildings and improve the delivery of water and electricity.

The recovery plan says existing preparedness procedures and evacuation shelters need to be improved too.

Government wants to fund and oversee the update of the island’s disaster response plan, the collection of debris, disposal of roofing iron and purchase of a compacting machine, as well as raise awareness through community workshops and activities in schools, train local carpenters in disaster resilient building techniques, and replace the damaged meteorological station.