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The Salvation Army Begins Response to South Pacific Tsunami
SALVATION Army officers and personnel from the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory are providing assistance to people evacuated to New Zealand from some of the communities affected by the tsunami that brought devastation to Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. Plans are also under way to provide direct assistance in the affected areas.
The tsunami – triggered by a strong earthquake in the South Pacific – killed more than 100 people and forced many thousands from their homes. At least 77 people were reported dead in Samoa, more than 25 in American Samoa and at least six in Tonga.
Working in partnership with New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Salvation Army emergency team based at Auckland International Airport is providing support for people being evacuated from Samoa. The support ranges from counselling to the provision of material necessities and the arrangement of accommodation.
The territory is also sending an assessment team to Samoa and American Samoa on Saturday 3 October with the remit of evaluating the ongoing level of assistance and support needed by the Government and communities of these islands. Once the assessment is completed and any gaps in the response have been identified with the Samoan Government and communities, a disaster recovery team will be sent with a range of skills to work in this phase of the response.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Donald Bell says: 'It is our intention also to set up personnel and processes in Apia, Western Samoa, to manage the allocation and use of donated funds.’
In planning its response The Salvation Army is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies.
Donations to the 'South Pacific and East Asia Fund' can be made online by clicking on the button below:
Report by Major Raelton Gibbs
International Emergency Services
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