Tsunami relief operation begins

Major relief operation begins to bring aid to those left devastated by tsunami in Samoan islands

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Thursday, 01, Oct 2009 11:35

By Sarah Garrod.

A major relief operation has begun in the Samoan islands after a huge tsunami hit, killing at least 119 people.

Prime minister Gordon Brown has sent his condolences to all those affected, and the Samoan Red Cross have set up camps for those who have lost their homes in the devastation.

Rescue officials have said planes carrying supplies to Samoa and American Samoa were on their way, and the United Nations has said they will be sending an emergency team to the area.

There have been some reports of looting and whole villages and resorts have been wiped out by the giant wave.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life, injury, and destruction of property due to the earthquake and tsunami that hit Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga".

He added that he sent his condolences to all those families who have been affected, and reiterated that the UN were mobilising assistance.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is assessing its stocks of relief supplies at its regional centre in Suva, Fiji, to determine what items are needed to help with humanitarian efforts. Water, sanitation and hygiene have been identified as key areas of need.

The US president Barack Obama declared a major disaster in American Samoa and pledged a "swift" government response.

Mr Brown issued a statement sending "heartfelt condolences to the people of Samoa, Tonga and the Philippines".

He added: "All of us watching these scenes will be shocked and saddened at the sheer scale of the devastation. We stand ready to help in any way we can."

Lopeti Senituli, the adviser to the Tongan prime minister, said three six-metre waves crashed over the tiny island of Niuatoputapu.

"Only one of the three villages was left unscathed," Mr Senituli said.

"The island's hospital was destroyed as well as the communication tower. The airport runway, which is of course on the coast of the island, was also severely damaged."

The Samoan Red Cross said about 15,000 people have been affected by the tsunami.

Samoa is home to about 180,000 people with another 65,000 living on neighbouring US territory American Samoa.