Samoa: ADRA Helps Communities Rebuild
21st October, 2009
Wahroonga, New South Wales — The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has committed to the long-term recovery of communities in Samoa and is helping them rebuild with immediate garden and kitchen equipment and support for the reconstruction of community infrastructure, following the devastation caused by a tsunami late last month.
Following the immediate distribution of food and water supplies, ADRA is providing households in three affected villages in Upolu with garden kits and kitchen kits to help sustain them during the reconstruction of their communities. With funding from several ADRA offices, including ADRA Australia, and in partnership with ADRA New Zealand and the Samoa Seventh-day Adventist Mission, this project will provide garden kits, including a spade, axe, bush knife and file, and kitchen kits, including a pot, pan, containers, plates, cups and cutlery. These items have been identified by households and authorities as immediate priority needs.
“The people of Samoa have shown great strength during this time of tragedy and are keen to return to a more normal way of life and these kinds of supplies are an important part of their recovery,” said ADRA Australia’s Director of Emergency Management, Chris Olafson. “They are also keen to participate in the reconstruction of their homes and communities. They need to own this process and be empowered to rebuild their own lives, and ADRA is here to support them in that. We’re here for the long-term, to really help them get back on their feet.”
ADRA is also commencing a long-term project to assist these three affected communities with the reconstruction of their homes and other infrastructure. This project, which is funded by ADRA Australia and New Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency (NZAID), will provide a ‘cash for work’ program that will provide vital income for affected families and empower young community members to clean-up and rebuild affected areas. In addition, this project will implement disaster risk reduction programs to help community members identify areas of risk during a disaster, develop plans to respond to emergencies, and implement simulation exercises to practice those plans. Findings from this program will also inform the reconstruction efforts to mitigate against future disaster risks.
ADRA’s projects will be implemented in the communities of Saleapaga, Satitoa and Saleaumaua and directly support approximately 1500 people. All project activities are implemented in coordination with the Samoan Disaster Management Council.
ADRA Australia has opened a Pacific Disaster Appeal and is calling for support for its response efforts in the region. Donations can be made to ADRA Australia by calling 1800 242 372 or visiting ADRA Australia's website. Donations to ADRA Australia’s Pacific Disaster Appeal will be used to support the immediate disaster relief and recovery activities in the area. If the appeal raises more funds than are needed, donations will be allocated to ADRA Australia’s ongoing emergency management activities in the region. New Zealand residents can donate to ADRA New Zealand’s Samoa Disaster Appeal by calling 0800 4999 111 or visiting www.adra.org.nz.
ADRA Australia is a non-government organisation (NGO) engaging in sustainable development and emergency management activities for people in Australia, the Pacific, Asia and Africa. It is fully accredited with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and is signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct. The ADRA network has a presence in 125 countries. For more information about ADRA Australia, or to sign-up for free email updates, visit ADRA Australia's website.
Download a Printable PDF Version
...
Return to News RoomMedia Enquiries:
Candice Jaques
p 02 9489 5488
m 0407 172 305
e news@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
