The latest from Samoa...

Relief efforts have continued for families affected by the Tsunami, which struck the Pacific Islands of Samoa, Western Samoa and Tonga last week, killing 170 people and leaving many villages destroyed. A national day of mourning for those killed will take place Thursday, October 8.

A Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which includes Timothy Holmes and Ralph Spriggett from the UK, is on the ground in Samoa. They are reporting that many of the coastal areas in the south have been completely devastated. 

The team have been distributing more than 40 tool kits – including shovels, hammers, crowbars and nails – with the help of church partners, providing temporary shelters for families in Saleapaga, one of the worst hit areas. In addition, 15 pallets of relief supplies arrived in Samoa today. The total shipment includes 100 rolls of plastic, 700 hygiene kits, 1,400 blankets.

“The need is still desperate out here,” explains Timothy Holmes, Programmes and Projects Manager for Samaritan’s Purse UK. “The psychological impact of this disaster is becoming more apparent as families bury their dead. One man told us ‘I’m not going back to work’ after his workplace was hit by the Tsunami.”

The DART team have also identified a need for food storage and have been working with local churches and aid agencies to source food containers, which are due to arrive tomorrow.

Ways you can help

Pray:

• For those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.
• For the many, especially children, who will have to deal with the traumatic memories of the tsunami
• For the health and safety of our team

Tell:

•   Share this story with a friend or relative and encourage them respond in some way too; you might even want to email them the URL link to this story

Give:

•   £10 will provide emergency food for a family of 5 for 1 month
•   £20 will provide an emergency kit for 1 family
•   £50 can provide emergency water for up to 30 people for 1 month