Tsunami Samoa Funds Help Bury The Dead

PRESS RELEASE

2 October 2009
Tsunami Samoa Funds Help Bury The Dead

Source: eventpolynesia.com

Today the local Search & Find Operation (SFO) team used the digger funded through TSUNAMI SAMOA 09 FUNDS to dig graves at Saleapaga before moving onto Lalomanu village in the next few days. Both villages considered to be the worst hit by the tsunami.

One of the graves at Saleapaga was for Alavina Lopa’u Talosaga Aiotaota 38 years who was yesterday recovered by the SFO team. Alavina is buried without her 5 year old daughter Precious Christina Aiotoaota who is still missing. Her mother Salamina Fonoti Lopa’u Talosaga 73 years also deceased will be buried tomorrow.

Truck funded by TSUNAMI SAMOA 09 FUNDS and team of SFO volunteers continue with the relocation of families from the beachfront to the high grounds inland.

According to Sogimaletavai Neueli, a matai of Saleapaga and uncle of Alavina, “The relocation of our families inland is a permanent one. It’s too depressing to ever consider coming back to the beachfront.”

The TSUNAMI SAMOA 09 FUNDS appeal continues to focus specifically on the needs of the local people. It is to ensure that the gaps where help is needed but not met immediately by government agencies and international relief agencies, is filled.
 

ACCOUNT NAME:                  Tsunami Samoa 09 Funds

ACCOUNT NUMBER:             01-1837-0026899-000

BANK AND BRANCH:             ANZ Sylvia Park Branch

SWIFT CODE/NUMBER:       ANZBNZ22

In addition Tsunami Samoa 09 Funds appeal is now working towards a coordinated approach in conjunction with community leaders, government agencies and the business community to plan meaningful and practical assistance for Samoa, in the immediate term, the medium term and the long term.

In the immediate term, the focus will be safety (medical health and care), shelter and beddings, food, and clothes. In the medium term it will focus on the cleaning up.  

Moreover, the medium to long term focus will be on the re-settlement, and re-building of families, villages, communities, infrastructures and to support the government and the people of Samoa, in Samoa.

ends

© Scoop Media