University students assess Samoa needs 

A group of Auckland University engineers have been assessing how they can help reconstruction work in Samoa.

Spokesman Stuart Mitchell says the tsunami has caused extensive damage and about 1500 families need to be re-housed.

He says the reconstruction is going to to be tougher than people expect and the need is urgent.

Mitchell says the engineers can help design homes which will be structurally sound and safe.

And he says the university can also help with early warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis.

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