Typhoon claims member
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CHUUK — Tropical Storm Chata'an dumped more than 20 inches of rain on the Pacific islands of Chuuk in a two-day period, triggering more than 30 landslides and killing at least 47 people — including a member of the Church and his family — with others still missing.
Sibasaiki Amis, on the island of Tonowas, his wife and three children all died after being buried under a landslide. (Names of family members were not available at press time.)
William H. Davis, president of the Guam District, arrived in Chuuk July 12 to help coordinate humanitarian relief efforts in the aftermath of the typhoon.
The Church, he said, responded quickly by sending a shipment — including needed food, water, tents and medicine — from Salt Lake City. President Davis said the area, declared a disaster area by U.S. President George W. Bush, was also receiving food and supplies from the U.S. government. Among others pitching in to help are the Micronesian Red Cross, religious organizations, medical teams from Guam and Palau, and Ayuda, a local Catholic group.
President Davis also met with local Church leaders on the island, offering training and assistance. Then, with local leaders, he distributed supplies to needy families, including 50 bags of rice, 50 cases of drinking water, 20 cases of corned beef, 20 cases of tuna and 20 cases of noodles.
"We currently have three families staying in the Mwan chapel who have had extensive damage to their homes and several families staying in the Uman chapel," he said, noting that numerous member families had homes damaged or destroyed.
