More NZ medical staff head to Samoa

As the focus in Samoa turns from rescue to clean-up following the tsunami that hit last week, New Zealand is sending a further 12 medical staff to help.

The tsunami, following an 8.3 earthquake off the coast of Samoa last week has claimed at least 176 lives, including seven confirmed New Zealanders.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said five medical staff left this morning and seven more were due to leave at midday tomorrow.

They will join the 14 who arrived on Sunday.

The team included a plastic surgeon, psychiatrist, Samoan-speaking grief counsellors, an infectious disease specialist, doctors, nurses and support staff.

The Government had worked hard to send Samoan-speaking health workers and those who had worked in the country before, where possible.

Equipment, medication and wound care supplies were also being flown in.

New Zealand Health Volunteers coordinator Ron Dunham said people were keen to help as much as they could.

"Samoa will need our help for weeks and months to come and we anticipate a constant flow of staff heading up to meet the ongoing health needs of the people in Samoa."

New Zealand Red Cross has specialist staff in Samoa and was helping people arriving on flights from the Pacific nation.

The Samoan Red Cross Society estimated 3500 people were under temporary shelter.

Many others were staying with relatives, or being billeted.

New Zealand Red Cross humanitarian aid worker Douglas Clark said the need for relief items was rapidly diminishing and the focus of relief efforts was changing.

Water and sanitation, the handling and storage of bodies and psycho-social support were the focus.

Unicef - the United Nations children's fund - was concerned about the estimated 2000 displaced children and essential food, water, shelter, clothing and sanitation supplies were a top priority.

The organisation was focused on a roll out of Vitamin A supplements and measles vaccines for children from birth to 18 months to prevent a disease outbreak.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand the police have organised a church service in Auckland for staff, families and communities who lost friends and families in the tsunami.

The service will take place at St John's Samoan Methodist Church in Auckland on Thursday.

Methodist Minister Reverend Faleatua will officiate the service with help from police chaplain Reverend Tavale Matai'a and Police Commissioner Howard Broad.

Police National Manager, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services Superintendent Wallace Haumaha said with more than 600 staff of pacific descent, police were one of the largest employers of pacific people.

"We are acutely aware that many of them are affected by the unfortunate events of the past week."

New Zealand police staff were in Samoa as part of an inter-agency co-ordination.

New Zealand Defence Force personnel were also in Samoa.

A number of funds were established around New Zealand to raise money for those who lost loved ones or homes in the disaster.

Customers at Farmers stores donated $90,000 over the weekend to help Samoans affected by the tsunami.

The fund now stands at $180,000 - with the company matching donations.

Farmers also air freighted a range of basic life necessities, such as towels, cookware and mattresses to Samoa this week.

The Government has committed to $2 million in emergency aid and was likely to commit more once Cabinet discussed it.

- NZPA