Bottled water, canned goods, rice, sugar, flour and other supplies were recently delivered to Samoan communities still recovering after last December’s devastating Cyclone Evan.
Over the last several weeks, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the island of Tutuila, in American Samoa, collected, donated and delivered a shipping container of relief supplies to the hardest hit areas of Upolu, Samoa.
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A Church spokeseperson in Apia, Unasa Lautofa, said, “It’s good to know that the Church and its helping hands are here to assist, when there are tsunamis or cyclones or anything else. We are so grateful to the families that contributed food and clothing.”
After receiving the supplies, representatives from Upolu’s nine stakes (ecclesiastical units similar to dioceses) gathered to unload the container and deliver the goods to villages throughout the island to help families still struggling with daily necessities.
“We thank American Samoa for their support, especially the food that has been donated. We thank you with all our hearts,” said Ullisone Tuia, president of the Latter-day Saints’ Navu Stake in Samoa.
“We are recovering slowly,” he said. “Many had to start over with their farms and plantations. This aid helps them now, until the new crops can come in.”
Leader of the Church’s Samoa Apia Stake, Faamoana Utai, said, “All families in our area were affected by Cyclone Evan. Some areas were affected by high winds and others with severe damage by flooding.”
President Utai added: “Many are still in the process of rebuilding their homes. We appreciate so much the help we are receiving.”
Apineru Kofe, another local Latter-day Saint leader, said that the food and clothing would help those in need in his stake, both Latter-day Saints and those of other faiths.
Harry Finau, President of Upolu South Stake, was not only grateful for food, but also for the lava lavas and other clothing, which will be distributed to the needy by bishops and the members of the Relief Society (the Church’s organization for women).
One stake president commented, “The clothing is very good, much of it looks new and in good condition. This will be greatly appreciated.”
Many Samoans lost their home, crops, clothing and other possessions during Cyclone Evan.