[pima.nius] PRESS RELEASES – Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal

PRESS RELEASES – Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal

Saturday, 3 October 2009

1. Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal launched

Notable public figures including Laauli Michael Jones and Tuigamala Vaaiga

Tuigamala have joined Samoan community leaders in Auckland, to help organise and

facilitate relief aid for tsunami victims in Samoa.

"The tsunami has affected the whole country and we share that pain. We thank

everyone for their generosity and will make sure that the relief goes to those who are

most in need," said Laauli.

New Zealand's Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Hon. Bill English,

met the group Friday 2 October and outlined how the New Zealand government will help.

This includes transporting some of the relief aid aboard the naval vessel Canterbury.

Mr English welcomed the proactive approach taken by the group, known as

Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal, which is headed by Samoa's Consul General in Auckland,

Afioga Faolotoi Reupena Pogi.

"We sincerely thank New Zealanders for their quick response, and will work

closely with the community," said Faolotoi.

A temporary office has been set up in Samoa House in Auckland to coordinate the

supply and transport of relief. A number of fundraising activities are planned over the

next few weeks along with memorial services.

The organising committee is communicating with the Samoan government. All

proceeds will go through Samoa's National Disaster Council which is chaired by

Samoa's Prime Minister, Afioga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

The Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal organising committee includes members from

key Samoan advisory groups. They include the Fono Faufautua Samoa Auckland; Samoa

Auckland City Community Forum, Samoa Fono North Shore, Samoa Potopoto Waitakere

and Samoa Manukau, church ministers, judges, and airline and shipping agents. They are

joined by representatives from local government, the private sector and the Ministry of

Pacific Island Affairs.

2. Public Briefing 2pm Monday 5 October

A public briefing session with representatives of the Auckland Samoan

community is planned for 2pm, Monday 5 October.

The venue will be the Ground Floor, Samoa House, 283 Karangahape Road,

Central Auckland. Representatives of the families of those who are most affected by the

tsunami are invited to attend.

3. Collection Centres for donated items and containers

The Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal has received a number of free containers from

Maersk container company to send items over to Samoa. The cost of transporting the

containers has been donated by shipping companies, including Reef Shipping. The New

Zealand Government has also indicated that some containers will be carried for free

aboard the RNZS Canterbury.

The organising committee has decided to allocate the containers prioritising the

most affected villages.

Two collection centres open on Tuesday 6 October in Auckland to receive relief

aid for tsunami victims in Samoa. Donations will be loaded into containers and shipped

for free over the next few weeks.

One centre is at the Mau Theatre, Corban Estate, 426 Great North Road,

Henderson. The second is at Te Wananga Aotearoa, 15 Canning Crescent, Mangere.

Opening hours are 9am to 11pm.

Sailings are expected within the next few weeks. The priority items are nonperishable

food and clothing. Donations from the public can be made in two ways:

(a) Items donated for general distribution in Samoa through the National Disaster

Council, chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister of Samoa. Items for Tutuila,

American Samoa are also welcome.

(b) Items donated for specific villages/families in Samoa who are most in need. At

this stage, the guideline is for one cubic metre per family. A number of specific

containers are earmarked for urgent relief in the worst-affected villages.

Items for specific villages/families should be directed to the following collection

centre (NB: some villages are covered by both centres):

Collection Centre, Henderson

Donations for specific villages/families in Saleaumua, Mutiatele, Pue, Malaela,

Satitoa, Poutasi, Saleapaga, Lalomanu, Lepa. General donations and Tutuila.

Collection Centre, Mangere

Donations for specific villages/families in Ulutogia, Vailoa, Poutasi, Saleapaga,

Lalomanu, Saanapu, Siumu. General donations and Tutuila.

The Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal organising committee sincerely thanks all

donors for their support.

4. Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal –Westpac Bank Account

Name: Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal

Account Number: 03-0219-0593779-000

Address: c/- Samoa House

283 Karangahape Road

Auckland Central

Auckland 1010

The Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal organising committee sincerely thanks all

donors for their support.

5. Memorial Services

Memorial services have been organised for 5pm on Sunday 11 October in

Auckland.

The two venues are at the Trusts Stadium in Henderson, West Auckland and the

Telstra Centre in Manukau, South Auckland.

6. Contact Us

For enquiries please contact:

Consul General Faolotoi Reupena Pogi (09 303 1012)

Laauli Michael Jones (021 557 750)

Masuisui JR Pereira (021 2029 160)

Magila Annandale, MPIA (027 272 2656).

The office for the Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal is located at the Ground Floor,

Samoa House, 283 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central. Tel: 09 303 1012

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