OCEANIA/SAMOA - Cyclone Evan causes death, destruction and damage to infrastructure

Apia (Agenzia Fides) - Cyclone Evan has caused deaths, destruction and damage to the infrastructure in the South Pacific. From what emerges in a statement of the Salesian community in Samoa, the archipelago was hit by the cyclone between 13 and 14 December. There is no electricity almost everywhere and the damage to the power supply is widespread. There is also very little water and water services will not be restored until at least 2 weeks. The worst situation regards crops, especially bananas and breadfruit. Farmers were able to save part of the crop, but since the majority of the population counts on agriculture for their livelihood as well as on fishing, their greatest fear is for the next few months, when they will run out of stocks. 25% of Samoans are already living in poverty and, as a result of the cyclone, the situation will worsen since in the country there will be a further increase in prices. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 20/12/2012)