Samoa Response – update
The South Pacific Tsunami that washed away coastal villages in Samoa on September 2009, claimed at least 140 lives, and left thousands of people in need of emergency assistance. Samaritan’s Purse immediately mobilised a Disaster and Assistance Response Team (DART) that arrived on the ground within days of the Tsunami.
We partnered with Reverend Nu’uausala Siaosi and the Apia Protestant Church to assess the situation and how to best meet the needs in the affected communities. The DART team included experienced relief workers from Samaritan’s Purse in Australia, the UK, Canada and the USA.
In the initial stages we distributed toolkits, agricultural toolkits, kitchen kits, plastic sheeting (for shelters), blankets, hygiene kits, jerry cans, solar flashlights and mosquito nets. The content of the tool and kitchen kits was mainly purchased by our teams from local suppliers, enabling us to both support the local economy and act quickly.
After meeting the initial emergency needs, we had requests for a distribution of Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes and family packs for the communities impacted by the Tsunami. Samaritan’s Purse supporters in Australia and New Zealand stepped in early and a total of just over $200,000 was raised to meet the needs in Samoa.
“As the Leader for this operation locally, I feel happy that we can lend a hand in lifting the spirits of our broken people through the Tsunami experience in this way. God had given us Samaritan’s Purse to reach our people in this way, and we are so appreciative of their response from the Emergency Phase, the Recovery Phase and now Christmas gifts. Thank you Samaritan’s Purse.” said Rev Nu’u.
Please remember those impacted by this emergency in your prayers, pray particularly:
- For Rev Nu’u and the local leadership of the church as they continue to minister in these communities.
- For those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.
- For the many, especially children, who will have to deal with the traumatic memories of the tsunami.
