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The New Zealand defence force is getting its disaster relief plans into full swing, on a scale not seen since the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.
Emergency aid to Samoa is being stepped up as the death toll in
ravaged Pacific islands mounts and the tragic impact of Wednesday's
tsunami hits stunned populations.
Reports say 110 bodies had been found in Samoa and 146 people were
injured.
In American Samoa 22 were dead, and in Tonga seven.
The New Zealand toll in Samoa remained at three - with one of those missing, presumed dead - while 11 were in Apia Hospital, some seriously injured.
One of the New Zealanders killed was Mary Ann White, 55, a mother of three, from Raglan, her family confirmed.
She and her husband Andy were holidaying in Samoa with close friends and business partners Diane and Brent Cederman.
A New Zealand toddler with permanent Australian residency is also among the dead, Australian media reported.
The government announced $1 million had been allocated in emergency aid for Samoa and Tonga.
Acting Prime Minister Bill English said it was just a start and New Zealand was in for a long haul to help the island nations recover and rebuild.
The acting prime minister also suggesting roading repairs alone could cost around $50 million.
Ministers have been co-ordinating the relief effort from Wellington up to now but on Friday Foreign Minister Murray McCully will board a military aircraft to fly to Apia.
On Saturday Prime Minister John Key is due to arrive in Auckland after cutting short a holiday in the United States, and within hours he will be on his way to Samoa on a commercial flight.
"It is important that I reassure Samoan leaders, face to face, that New Zealand stands ready to assist - not just in the short-term disaster relief but with long-term reconstruction," he said.
An air force Iroquois helicopter will also be on its way to Samoa, aboard an Australian C130 Hercules.
"It's requested so they can do a detailed survey in a way that more difficult from a plane, and also because of the size of the helicopter it's possible to send relief to places where the roads are overly damaged or something of that nature," says Wayne Map, the defence minister.
A second helicopter will also be taken over on Friday along with a 757 carrying more equipment and crucial experience.
The navy's largest vessel, the HMNZS Canterbury is being put on standby and could set sail as early as Sunday.
A contingent of police left on Thursday, among them an assistant commissioner to help Samoan police deal with the emergency.
Two experts in identifying bodies, two technicians and 30 radios were on the flight.
Labour MP Chris Carter and colleague Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, the first New Zealand politicians on the scene, have been in Samoa since late yesterday and visited the stricken coastal areas where the tsunami smashed ashore.
Carter said the people were starting to feel the real impact of the death and destruction.
"People have an almost zombie-like appearance," he said.
"While we were in one village they found a body. The church minister I was with told me everyone was coping quite well yesterday in the immediate aftermath but today, finding the remaining bodies, the shock of what happened has really settled in."
In other developments:
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 18 New Zealanders had been injured and some had been discharged from hospital;
- 464 New Zealanders were confirmed alive and well. Its database showed 535 were likely to be in Samoa although some might have returned home;
-The air force Orion helping search operations in Samoa was preparing to fly over Tonga to check reports that 95% of the main town on the island of Niuatoputatu had been demolished;
-Health Minister Tony Ryall said health professionals were volunteering to go to Samoa, which had asked for orthopaedic surgeons, general surgeons, theatre nurses, anaesthetists and post-operative staff;
-Habitat for Humanity called for New Zealand builders to volunteer to help restore homes and villages.
The New Zealand Red Cross has launched a Samoa Tsunami Relief project at givealittle.co.nz Oxfam NZ is also accepting donations online at www.oxfam.org.nz , by phone 0800 400 666, or you can make make an automatic $20 donation, please call 0900 600 20.
Anyone worried about the safety of non-New Zealand relatives in Samoa should contact the Samoan High Commission on 04 472 0953.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentjaxlino said on 2009-10-07 @ 14:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
anyone from the Satitoa village?
markservian said on 2009-10-05 @ 21:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tai Taufua is interviewed in this story... http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/church-comforts-many-in-samoa-3048401/video
Liviyj12 said on 2009-10-05 @ 19:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
i feel sorry fot those who have been affected.... i also feel sorry for Vai. he has lost so much of his family..:(
Micksta said on 2009-10-05 @ 11:16 NZDT: Report abusive post
My heart goes out to everyone who has lost family member/s in the earthquake and tsunami. I know what it would be like, as I was in Samoa as the earthquake struck and I read and saw the devastating effects of the tsunami that followed, both in newspapers and also for real. I would like to say that Nuu Black Sand Beach was hit my the tsunami and is in a bad state (Not that much of an attraction now).
PurpleOlive said on 2009-10-05 @ 09:04 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am so sad for all who have lost family members. We are humbled by how quickly lives can be lost. Our hearts go out to each and every one of you and I cry tears for your sweet babies. Your pain is shared by our thoughts and may you find the strength within yourselves to carry on, xox