Cyclone Olaf - Aftermath

Aftermath

Olaf damaged several water stations in the Manua Islands causing a water shortage. Because of the damage, President George W. Bush declared those islands disaster areas. The declaration allowed residents and local governments in the American Samoa to receive federal aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided much aid to the residents of the American Samoa. The Initial Response Resources were sent to the American Samoa and its surrounding islands and was distributed by the United States Coast Guard and the government of the American Samoa on February 21, 2005. Despite the devastation in the Manua Islands, it could have been worse if Olaf hit American Samoa directly. In the Cook Islands, the Australian and New Zealand governments provided over A$30,000 (2005) in relief assistance. On February 22, 2005, the Government of New Zealand, provided materials and workmen to help with the clean up effort. The French government and the United Nations also assisted in the relief effort by sending soldiers from Tahiti and providing more aid to the striken residents.