two things are clear: the lives of those affected will never be the same; and that, despite the
massive destruction, efforts to provide relief are taking effect.
commend the leadership of the Government for the rapidity and effectiveness with which it has
coordinated and delivered relief and humanitarian services on the ground. An important measure
of this success is the focus of the Government and its partners now to move simultaneously into
Early Recovery/Recovery mode”.
Standing Committee (IASC), has since been mobilized and has commenced its work in the field
today. It focuses on identifying actions that make will the shift from life saving interventions to life
sustaining ones, and restoring the basic foundations that will allow people to rebuild their lives. A
first draft of the Early Recovery Framework, an important output of the mission, is expected to be
ready in the week of 12 October.
working closely with the local communities and their leaders, to identify opportunities for
livelihoods and income generating activities as well as support for earliest delivery of social
services, such as health, education water and sanitation that have been disrupted due to the
Tsunami. Longer-term food security along with infrastructure development will be key in longer-
term recovery efforts. Capacity development of communities and local level institutions will form
the basis of ensuring sustainability, spontaneous recovery and strengthening of self-help
capacities.
is comprised of humanitarian and development partners – both national and international - to
ensure a co-ordinated support to the Government. Under the aegis of this body, relief goods and
supplies such as, water, food, tarpaulins, water tanks, seeds, farming implements, medical kits,
female sanitary provisions, tents etc have been provided to the NDMO for distribution. Many of
the relief goods have been secured from the local markets ensuring support to the local economy.
Government’s co-ordination efforts at NDMO have been supported by an UN Disaster Assistance
Coordination team comprised of IT, logistics and cartographers, allowing for effective monitoring,
utilization and targeting of relief and humanitarian resources coming into Samoa.
ministries to assist with rapid assessments and the early recovery framework, covering a range of
specialties that include: public health, food security, agriculture, fisheries, nutrition, livelihoods,
water and sanitation, shelter, education, GIS, protection, disaster management and emergency
preparedness, governance, infrastructure, damage assessment and environment. These have
been drawn from the government and a range of National and International development partners
that include National Disaster Management Office, ADRA, AusAid, Australian Youth
Ambassadors for Development, Care Australia, Caritas Pacific, Conservation International, EU,
FAASAO SAVAII, Habitat for Humanity, NZ, IFRC, MSF, New Zealand Aid, Oxfam, Peace Corps,
