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http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2009/13024-samoan-tsunamis-assistances/

 

 
5 October 2009 
 
ADB Provides $1 Million for Samoa Tsunami Victims 

Manila, Philippines – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $1 million to 
support emergency relief efforts in Samoa, following last week's devastating tsunami 
which left close to 170 people dead and thousands homeless. 

The funds will be used to supply a wide variety of essential needs to people affected by 
the disaster, and will include items such as food, clean water, clothing and medical 
supplies. 

"The ADB is committed to helping the people of Samoa through this very difficult and 
painful time," said Sultan Hafeez Rahman, Director General of ADB's Pacific 
Department. "We will work closely with the Government of Samoa and our development 
partners to offer timely and coordinated emergency assistance to those affected."  

Almost 20% of Samoa’s population of 181,000 is believed to have been affected by the 
tsunami and subsequent flooding, which was triggered by a massive 8.0-magnitude 
undersea earthquake.  

"ADB is closely monitoring the situation on the ground and, in consultation with the 
Government of Samoa as well as other donors, will soon participate in a needs 
assessment mission to the affected areas," said Keith Leonard, Regional Director of 
ADB's South Pacific Subregional Office. 

The $1 million contribution to Samoa is tapped from ADB's recently established Asia 
Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), which provides quick disbursing grants to 
ADB member countries affected by natural disasters. 

ADB has maintained a long and active presence in Samoa, providing a range of 
development assistance in the form of loans, grants and technical assistance. The island-
nation joined ADB at the bank's founding in 1966.