ADRA New Zealand is commencing a recovery programme following immediate relief work in Samoa in the villages of Saleapaga, Satitoa and Saleaumaua, three of the most devastated areas on the south coast of the island of Upolu.
ADRA NZ International Programme Director, Dayan Eager, has instigated a reconstruction and recovery project that will see local unemployed young people take a leading part in paid work to rebuild a community that has lost everything in the path of the September 29th tsunami.
“We are going to use those members of families that belong to households that have suffered the most” said Mr. Eager “There are a lot of willing workers who are either currently unemployed or have lost their sources of income who would be receiving cash for work to help with the recovery efforts. ” he said.
This cash for work project will be followed by a series of training workshops to increase community preparedness in the event of future emergencies. Emergency response exercises are planned to test community emergency response plans.
The death toll is now over 140 with approximately 3200 people homeless or living in makeshift shelters. Hospitals have treated more than 600 people and the Government estimates the damage cost to be in excess of US$ 150 million.
Local communities in Samoa are much more aware of ADRA and the work the agency does in responding to disasters. Immediately following the disaster ADRA has been active from September 30th with assistance and distribution of both food and non food items such as radios, lanterns, tarpaulins and water containers as well as the post emergency distribution of gardening kits comprising of axes, spades and bush knives and a kitchen kit of food storage containers, pots, pans and other utensils.
“ADRA was part of the initial disaster assessments and works alongside the Disaster Management Office in Samoa to become very involved with the supply of these items, all of which were identified as high priority items” said Mr. Eager.
Now that the initial response to the tsunami sees the departure of many aid agencies ADRA NZ is actively seeking donations for the continuation of the all important long term recovery work and is currently running a “Samoa Tsunami Appeal” through the website adra.org.nz or by free phone 0800-4-999-111. Donations are tax deductable and qualify for New Zealand Government tax rebates.