Red Cross helping American Samoa tsunami victims
Thursday, October 1, 2009“It’s a mess over there.” That's how American Red Cross staffer Tuuga Tinoisamoa describes the eastern side of American Samoa after this week’s devastating tsunami swept over the island.
After an 8.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami, a significant portion of American Samoa was without power or water amid widespread damage. Water service has been restored to most of the area, but there is still no power. The American Red Cross is providing food, shelter, water and other needed supplies, and helping with debris removal. Additional supplies and help in the form of staff and volunteers from the United States are on their way to supplement the efforts of the local Red Cross workforce.
“The needs are so great,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “Our team in American Samoa needs to be a lot larger and we need a lot more supplies on the ground. We are working feverishly to bring in the first wave of people, and the first wave of supplies.”
About American Samoa
American Samoa, a group of seven islands about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii, is a United States Territory. American Samoa and the independent country of Western Samoa make up the Samoan group of islands in the center of Polynesia. According to news reports, four tsunami waves about 15 to 20 feet high came ashore on American Samoa after the earthquake in the South Pacific.
How you can help
Your financial support will help the Red Cross respond to disasters like this situation in the Samoan islands. You can make a donation at www.redcrossillinois.org by clicking here and and choosing whether to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund or American Red Cross International Response Fund.
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