09 October 09

Salvation Army Emergency Relief Team Starts Work on Samoa

Salvation Army teams are still working to assist people affected by the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga

Salvation Army teams are still working to assist people affected by the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

For several days a team based at Auckland Airport in New Zealand offered support to those being evacuated from the area. Captain Gerry Walker was part of the airport team and says the presence of The Salvation Army has been appreciated.

On 3 October he reported: ‘The team dealt with needs from last night's flight from Samoa. On the 10 am flight we assisted three passengers. We also spoke to Winnie Laban MP who, along with Chris Carter MP, was on the flight. Winnie thanked The Salvation Army for all it is doing.’

An assessment team arrived in Apia (Samoa) on 3 October and immediately held meetings with the New Zealand embassy, the Samoan Government Head of Emergency Relief and local village contacts to discuss the role and contribution The Salvation Army could make.

Major Campbell Roberts, Director of Social Services and Policy for The Salvation Army's New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, commented: ‘Members of the Salvation Army team have been impressed by the organisation and coordination of the relief effort by the Samoan Government. Apia is operating with a high degree of normality.’

The team has been strengthened by the arrival of Major George Polarek from SAWSO (Salvation Army World Service Office) in the USA.

Plans are under way for several projects to help people rebuild their lives. In the village of Saleapaga – one of the places worst-hit by the tsunami – The Salvation Army is working with Samaritan’s Purse on a response by the Apia Protestant Church and YWAM (Youth With a Mission) to provide tools. Fifty tool kits were delivered to the village on 6 October, allowing 46 affected families to set up traditional fale houses as transitional housing.

Further assessment will enable an appropriate response to be put in place. The Salvation Army is continuing to coordinate its response with the government and other agencies.