Families cautioned against travel to Samoa

Tsunami devastation on the south-east coast of Upolu. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Samoan families living in New Zealand are in panic mode as they try to understand the devastation caused by the tsunami.

But Pastor Willie Papu of the Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mangere, said he was telling families not to travel to Samoa because resources are scarce and there are so many people in need.

Pastor Papu, who heads a 1200-strong congregation, wiped tears from his eyes as he spoke of the reaction of New Zealand, Australia and the US to the disaster back home.

"We are so used to depending on each other - to see the outside community rallying to help feels really good."

He said he made contact with the church's leaders in Samoa at 1am today and decided not to travel to Samoa himself.

Pastor Papu said his people were on the western side of Upolu Island and had minor damage to their houses from the earthquake.

"We do have a few families from which we haven't heard anything. I know there are three people missing but they may show up somewhere else."

He said he was staying in New Zealand to help coordinate a relief effort and was waiting to hear from Samoa about what is needed.

"We're taking each day as it comes.

"There's nothing anyone can do except pray and ask for help of the people back home [in New Zealand]."

Pastor Papu said in his 69 years he had never seen anything like yesterday's tsunami.

He said many people in Samoa do not have insurance and are relying on extended family for help.

"Samoan culture stresses the importance of extended family and they will try and help each other out. That's the insurance."

How you can help

Pacific Cooperation Foundation
Deposits can be made at at any Westpac branch. All the money raised will go to the Samoan Government

Red Cross
- Make a secure online donation at redcross.org.nz
- Send cheques to the Samoan Red Cross Fund, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
- Call 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation
- Make a donation at any NZ Red Cross office

ANZ bank
Make a donation at any ANZ bank branch, or donate directly to the ANZ appeal account: 01 1839 0143546 00