The US Defence Department is expected to airlift donated supplies to Samoa from California soon after approval was given by the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The American Samoan member of the US Congress, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, says he requested extra federal help with transport of aid collected by the Samoan community in the United States.
"Secretary Clinton has given her support and endorsement at my request for military flights to conduct some of the contributions and donations that thousands of our members of the Samoan community throughout California and Utah have brought to the West Coast hopefully for air shipment to Samoa as soon as this is possible."
Congressman Faleomavaega is in Apia for today's national memorial service and to meet the Samoan Prime Minister.
He says he is confident the authorities in Samoa will be able to co-ordinate the aid distribution effectively.
