Cook Islands: strengthening disaster management and mitigation

Abstract

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 of Category 51 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 necessary capacity and resources to finance the immediate recovery and reinstatement of basic services.