Focus Moves To Long Term Recovery In Samoa

NEWS RELEASE

12 November 2009

Focus Moves To Long Term Recovery And Rebuilding In Samoa

While it took only minutes for the Pacific tsunami and earthquake to cause havoc to the south coast of Samoa, the rebuilding and reconstruction efforts will take years.

This week Glenn Rose, New Zealand Red Cross Humanitarian Programmes Manager, will meet with Samoa Red Cross Society leaders and Pacific Red Cross partners to formulate a coordinated response to the long term rebuilding and recovery programmes required in Samoa.

After such a devastating event Mr Rose says recovery efforts and programmes are going to take years not months.

“New Zealand Red Cross is committed to working with the Samoa Red Cross Society and our Pacific Red Cross partners to build back better in Samoa and ensure that those most in need receive the recovery and practical assistance required,” says Mr Rose.

Over the long term Red Cross has committed to delivering relief and early recovery assistance to up to 5,000 people for 18 months. This assistance will include community based health care and first aid, psychosocial support, emergency shelter, livelihood programmes, disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction support and capacity building.

These long term programmes will be supported by donations from the New Zealand public. Immediately after the disaster New Zealand Red Cross launched the Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal which has now raised over $2.6 million in government, public and corporate donations.

Mr Rose says 100 percent of these donations as well as any interest earned will support the work of Red Cross in Samoa and will make a real difference to the lives of those affected by the disaster.

While immediate funding from the appeal fund has already been provided to the Samoa Red Cross Society to support initial disaster response and relief activity, further funding will be allocated to develop and implement specific recovery programmes.

Over the next three months Mr Rose will be based in the Pacific, working with the Samoa Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help manage the implementation of long term recovery programmes to those individuals and communities affected.

Anyone wishing to donate to New Zealand Red Cross Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal can continue do so online at www.redcross.org.nz. Donations will support the long term recovery and rebuilding programmes planned for Samoa.

ENDS

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