UNICEF Looking at Immunisation and Education Needs in Samoa

10 days after the tsunami which took 138 lives, with 6 people still missing and an estimated 3,200 homeless, UNICEF is now looking at education needs, child protection and a measles campaign to immunize 11,000 children in the coming week.

Measles outbreaks are common in post-disaster situations as children’s nutrition and immunity levels drop, with contributing factors of lack of access to clean water and sanitation. Water lines to the main affected areas have now been repaired, however there is still a need to get clean water to the displaced population, many of whom have fled the low-lying vulnerable areas to safer places. UNICEF will be helping in the provision of two water tankers to provide clean water to displaced families over the next two weeks.

3 schools on the South East coast of Upolo island have been destroyed and schools in a further 6 villages have been damaged. Although some relocated schools re-opened on 5 October, children interviewed by the early recovery assessment team said they did not want to return to school because they were still afraid of the disaster. This observation reconfirms the need for psycho-social support, especially for children. Children in some villages where schools were destroyed are now walking for an hour to reach their nearest school. Some schools are located approximately 4 kilometres from villages. Transport is an issue and UNICEF is now providing buses to ensure children can get to school quickly and safely.

David Youngmeyer, UNICEF New Zealand’s Communications Manager, was in Apia yesterday when the Tsunami warning siren sounded after the two earthquakes in Vanuatu. ”People quickly filled the streets, driving and walking away from the harbour in downtown Apia towards higher ground. With so many vehicles all headed in the same direction there was an instant traffic jam. It was actually quicker to walk. For the children, this evacuation must rekindle thoughts of the came devastating tsunami that hit southern parts of Samoa just over a week ago. I didn’t see any panic, but there was a palpable feeling in the air of the urgent need to flee.” More reports can be seen from David at http://blog.unicef.org.nz

Donations to the UNICEF Samoa appeal can be made on the website www.unicef.org.nz or by calling 0800 800 194.

ENDS

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