Post-tsunami update from government of Samoa

The government of Samoa is continuing to provide primary health care, food, water, and basic household items to those evacuated to established evacuation centers. Financial and in-kind contributions continue to pour in from local church organizations, the business community, schools, and individuals. Assistance has been received from the National University of Samoa, Church of Nazareth, and the Methodist Church of Samoa. Samoan communities in the United States (Samoan Community in Las Vegas and New Jersey) and New Zealand have indicated their support to the effort and have already started their relief drop-off centers.

Prayers for people who were affected one way or another by the tsunami were offered up by church leaders and congregations of all denominations during the Sunday services throughout the country. The National Council of Churches also conducted a special service at the Methodist Church, Matafele, on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 1:30 pm. A special Mass by the Catholic Church in Samoa was held at 5:00 pm yesterday at Vaoala. Samoan communities in New Zealand and the United States of America have had memorial church services yesterday for the victims of this catastrophic tsunami event.

International agencies and governments continue to provide assistance such as water storage containers, sanitation facilities, shelter, water, food, building tools, and beddings to people affected. The Prime Minister, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, personally visited the injured people at the hospital yesterday and was followed by government officials who gave to all people in the various wards such things as beddings, towels, tee-shirts, clothes, and food items. Such items were also given to other patients who were not Tsunami victims.

The government of Samoa has set up a special account with the ANZ Bank Samoa Limited to receive financial assistance from abroad and local sources. All organizations, families, and individuals are hereby advised to please use either of the two accounts detailed below to ensure all funds are safely kept and utilized specifically for the tsunami relief and recovery efforts:

Treasury Direct Transfer Account
Account Number: 1200033
Bank Swift Code: ANZBWSWW
Bank Address: ANZ (Samoa) Limited, Apia, Samoa

or:

Account Name: 2009 SamoaTsunami Relief and Rehabilitation
Account Number: 3826921.
Bank Swift Code: ANZBWSWW
Bank: ANZ (Samoa) Limited, Apia, Samoa

Samoa’s usual and intending development partners are also advised to kindly contact the acting CEO of the Ministry of Finance (Mr. Ben Pereira) at phone number 0685-7794147 for details of normal bilateral arrangements for assistance.

For more information, contact Ms. Vaosa Epa on 7770633 or 7520136.