Church and Islamic Relief send aid to Samoan islands to aid earthquake and tsunami victims
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Just two hours after a deadly, earthquake-generated tsunami inundated coastal regions of the Samoan islands on Sept. 29, local priesthood and Relief Society leaders were on the ground delivering assistance to victims of the historic disaster.
Now relief is arriving through the air.
A Church-chartered DC-10 aircraft filled with 150,000 pounds of relief supplies was expected to take off from the Salt Lake City International Airport early this afternoon and arrive in Western Samoa late Tuesday, local time. By mid-day Wednesday, folks who continue to endure the disaster could be enjoying a welcome meal and a fresh change of clothing from items included in the emergency airlift.
Church leaders are calling Tuesday's air shipment "a supplement" to the assistance that has already been provided in the Samoas.
"Within two hours [after the quake] we had our priesthood leaders on the ground in the devastated areas assessing the needs of the members and their neighbors," said Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy, who serves as second counselor in the Church's Pacific Area. "Within hours, relief was being given to those in distress."
The bulk of the shipment consists of essential provisions needed by victims who were, in some instances, left with nothing besides the clothes on their backs: food, hygiene items, clothing, bedding, mosquito nets, wheelchairs and crutches.
"The donations of our members — be it in money or goods — is what makes these relief items possible," said Elder Hamula.
The Church partnered with the international humanitarian assistance organization Islamic Relief to cover the cost of chartering the cargo plane. That group's communications manager, Mostafa Mahboob, said Islamic Relief has developed a relationship of trust and friendship with the Church while working together in the aftermath of catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina.
"We're able to come together in a time of need when disaster strikes," said Mr. Mahboob.
When the air shipment arrives in Samoa, a team of workers will unload the massive payload, place the various items on trucks and move them to the Church's warehouse in Samoa (formerly Western Samoa). Then the items will be transported to affected regions to be distributed by the local priesthood leaders to members and others in need. Canned, boxed and bagged food items from the shipment include corn, peaches, rice, pears, beef stew and dried milk.
Tuesday's Samoa-bound air shipment will bring immediate relief to the victims — but the Church anticipates offering additional assistance in the future as local leaders turn their attention to rebuilding homes and helping members find adequate shelter. The Church's long-term assessment of the disaster is ongoing, according to Peter Evans of the Church's Welfare Department.
The Church's capacity to respond quickly and efficiently is a reflection of the Christian discipleship of its members worldwide, said Elder Hamula. They are following the Savior's example to "feed the hungry" and "clothe the naked."
"When there is a need, our people — who believe in Jesus Christ — respond."
For LDS Samoans and their friends, the catastrophic events of Sept. 29 will forever be remembered with sadness. Elder Tad R. Callister of the Seventy and first counselor in the Church's Pacific Area Presidency, flew to Samoa Tuesday, Oct. 6. He said 25 Church members – four in American Samoa and 21 in Samoa – died in the disaster. As of Monday, Oct. 5, three Church members remained missing.
Elder Callister said all the Latter-day Saints who lost homes have a place to stay now, either with family, friends or at one of two LDS meetinghouses used as shelters.
He said many members also lost crops in the disaster and will need to replant. Others will need building supplies. "Plans [to help them] are being made as we talk," he said.
For now, however, "all the processes are working," he said. "They have food, shelter and clean water."
