19 Dec 2012

NGOs working to provide clean water in Samoa following cyclone Evan

11:15 am on 19 December 2012

Ensuring those families that have been displaced by Cyclone Evan stay healthy, is being seen as crucial over the coming days as Samoa deals with the cyclone's aftermath.

Disaster relief officials are still assessing the damage of Evan which struck the country late last week, killing at least five people.

27 evacuation centres are providing temporary accommodation for more than 4,000 people who were displaced by the cyclone and associated flooding.

Oxfam's Water and Sanitation Advisor, Andy Thomson, was in Samoa monitoring a water programme when Evan hit and says there's been extensive damage around river systems and water treatment plants.

He says NGOs are working hard to provide clean water and sanitation advice.

"Things like you know sort of hygiene kits, buckets, just basic tools and equipment for people to actually start to clean up and actually start rebuilding their lives I think are pretty crucial at the moment."

A second shipment of relief supplies for victims of Tropical Cyclone Evan arrived in Samoa from Pago Pago last night.

The Fotu o Samoa, which was drydocked in Pago Pago when the cyclone struck, took 10 pallets of canned food, water, milk and clothing donated by businesses and individuals in American Samoa.

The first shipment was dleivered by the Lady Naomi ferry over the weekend.

Motu Seui Jr. who is coordinating the American samoa Government Samoia Relief Drive says they will continue to collect donations.

The next boat trip to Apia is the Lady Naomi on Friday.

Yesterday Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi thanked the people and Government of American Samoa for immediate relief supplies.