Working together to end poverty and injustice

Samoa Tsunami

Providing safe water for affected communities

On September 29, 2009 an earthquake of 8.3 magnitude triggered a tsunami which devastated villages along the southern coasts of Samoa, American Samoa, and the northern islands of Tonga.

More than 5000 people were directly affected by the tsunami, with social and economic impacts affecting many thousands more. Over 3000 people were made homeless.

Oxfam is there

Oxfam’s emergency team of water and sanitation specialists and livelihoods experts arrived in Samoa immediately following the tsunami.

Oxfam continues to work with government officials, other humanitarian agencies and its local partner organisation Women in Business Development (WIBDI) to provide safe water and sanitation and support the long term rebuilding of people's livelihoods in rural communities where many homes and farms were devastated.

Providing safe water

Carol Penato, 7, collects safe water from their rain-water harvesting unit supplied by Oxfam.

Oxfam is working with local water authorities in Samoa to ensure that affected communities are set up with safe water and sanitation facilities. This includes:

• Fresh water supply through construction and supply of materials for rain-water harvesting on Manono Island and Upolu’s south coast
• Providing fresh water through water trucking and supply of permanent 11,000lt water tanks
• Providing 70 permanent tanks for new government-built houses
• Construction and repair of latrines
• Public health promotion in water conservation, sanitation and hygiene

Improving livelihoods

Nuusa Mamea, 32, plants organic watermelon seedlings that he received from Oxfam’s partner organisation in Samoa, Women in Business.

Oxfam is working closely with its partner organisation, WIBDI, to help affected communities rebuild their livelihoods. This includes:

• Cash-for-work schemes for youth to clear land for organic vegetable and fruit planting and tank installation on Manono Island
• Distribution of seedlings for organic vegetable and fruit production
• Improving market access for cash crops
• Support for organic coconut oil production and soap production
• Training in public health promotion
• Training for WIBDI staff to provide trauma support to affected families
• Find out more about Oxfam’s Samoan partner organisation Women in Business Development

Samoa tsunami in words and pictures

• In words: Read Oxfam aid worker Janna Hamilton's news blog from Samoa
• In pictures: View slideshows of photos taken by award winning photographer Jane Ussher in Samoa

Thank-you

Oxfam would like to thank the below companies for their contribution to our Samoa Tsunami appeal. From collecting donations in-store to donated services, all of their contributions will make a difference to the people of Samoa.

Ad Hub, Aim Proximity, Auckland Airport, Auckland City Council, Base FM, Bookabach, Catch Media, Colenso, Fairfax, Flight Centre, Flossie Media Group, iTicket, kFM, Large Design, Les Mills, Levi Stores, Mail Shop, MindFood, Mr Vintage, MSN, Mt Smart Stadium, MTV, National Business Review, North Shore City Council, NZ Herald, OfficeMax, Otago Daily Times, PropertyTalk, Rip It Up, Sky TV, Telecom, The Baby Factory, The Body Shop, The Listener, TVNZ, TV Works, Telnet, Scoop, Sella.co.nz, Surf.co.nz, Ticketmaster, Westfield Shopping, Wises.co.nz, Yahoo!Xtra.

Donate Support our life saving work
Take action You can make change happen
Shop for gifts Clever gifts that keep on giving

Control Arms Regulating the global trade in weapons: We report from the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations in New York. Read more

Climate change impact A new film exploring the effects of rising sea levels screens across NZ at the International Film Festival. Find out more

Haiti six months on Oxfam has provided essential aid to more than 440,000 people in the six months since the earthquake. Find out more

West Africa Food Crisis Almost 10 million people across West Africa are facing a food crisis. Find out more