A month has passed since parts of Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa were devastated by an 8.3 magnitude earthquake and a succession of tsunamis that struck on 29 September.
The response from the Samoan and New Zealand Red Cross National Societies to the disaster was fast with local volunteers and humanitarian aid workers from New Zealand on the ground in Samoa soon after the disaster. Relief supplies of tents, kitchen sets and water containers were dispatched immediately.
As New Zealand Red Cross was responding to the disaster so was the New Zealand public. Since the disaster over $2 million has been donated to New Zealand Red Cross' Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal.
The donations to New Zealand Red Cross have been overwhelming from individuals and corporate supporters and 100% of the money donated is being utilised for response, relief and recovery efforts in Samoa with New Zealand Red Cross making no deductions for administration costs.
New Zealand Red Cross continues to work closely with the Samoa Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to assist with long term recovery programmes and helping affected communities to build back better. Among the areas where the Red Cross effort will concentrate are ongoing relief, health, water and sanitation, restoring livelihoods, disaster risk reduction and capacity building for the Samoa Red Cross Society.