ADRA New Zealand

An earthquake of magnitude 8.3 struck Samoa on the 29th September, 2009 at a depth of 18km 196km off the coast of Apia, generating a tsunami which caused further damage and loss.

At present there are over 62 people confirmed dead in Samoa and 142 injured, at least 30 of these deaths in American Samoa with up to 10 deaths in Tonga. The toll is expected to rise as rescuers are reaching the worst hit areas, where villages have been devastated and flattened.

A series of earthquakes, the largest an 8.3 magnitude quake, started at 6:44am (New Zealand time) caused a tsunami which surged across the South Pacific Islands.

In Samoa, the tsunami swept up to 1.6kilometres inland, destroying cars, trees, buildings and sweeping people out to sea. Warnings were sounded and residents ran for higher ground, leaving everything behind. On their return, they found their houses destroyed, communications cut and no electricity.

ADRA New Zealand’s initial response has been to deploy Emergency Management and Disaster Relief staff who will work with local church structures, governments and other NGO’s to coordinate and deliver much needed emergency relief, after conducting disaster assessments to determine what the immediate needs of the people are and how best to effectively respond.

So far the reports of damage and deaths are still arriving but the focus for ADRA’s emergency relief will be basic needs such as clean water, food, shelter and sanitation.

ADRA NZ have established a specific appeal for funds to cover the costs of these efforts and would request that your generous donations be marked as “Samoa Appeal” and forwarded through the website or directly to ADRA NZ.

Donate online, or call 0800-4-999-111 to donate through our call centre.