American Red Cross Response to Tsunami in American Samoa (Updated 11/6/09)
The American Red Cross in American Samoa went from village to village, distributing relief supplies on the island where officials say as many as 2,000 families were affected.
Officials estimate it may be a year to two years until power is fully restored.
A team of local Red Cross volunteers helped to support 14 shelters on the island, and provided coolers, cooking kits, tarps, cots, work gloves, flashlights, trash bags and comfort kits.
A Red Cross team of staff and volunteers from all over the United States (15 from Hawaii) traveled to American Samoa to assist the local volunteers.
Red Crossers assisted with the construction of yerts – round tents a family can use temporarily after their area is deemed safe
Additional supplies including Jumpstart to Recovery kits and family food kits containing spam, rice, noodles, tea and oatmeal, were sent to the island
The Red Cross Spiritual Care Response Team, followed up with patients who have been released from the hospital, especially those who have lost children and who are in shock and trying to survive. They have met with teachers on what to say to children in school.
Statistics to date:
Supplies distributed (like clean-up kits): 84,714
Snacks served: 39,783
Mental Health Consultations: 3,637
Health Services Consultations: 1,593
Red Cross workers involved: 381
If you have been in contact with loved ones on American Samoa, the best way to share information about their well-being is to register them with the Red Cross Safe and Well Website. (Note: Safe and Well only works on American Samoa - it does not work on Western Samoa.)
You can register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Website at American Red Cross
For those that do not have internet access, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register your loved ones. Follow the prompts for disaster information.
Communications with the island has been difficult, so local volunteers are collecting information from residents for Safe and Well, and chapters back on mainland U.S. are inputting the information into the system.
The information you post on the Safe and Well Website will let other loved ones know about the well-being of those on the island.
Concerned family members who know the person's phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for messages posted about their loved ones.
American Samoa, a U.S. territory, and the independent country of Western Samoa make up the Samoan group of islands in the center of the area known as Polynesia. American Samoa is made up of seven islands located 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii.
Your financial support will help the American Red Cross respond quickly to disasters like the earthquake and resulting tsunami in American Samoa.
To donate to response efforts in American Samoa, click here