Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Oxfam says gaps remain in Samoa’s tsunami recovery

Posted at 04:34 on 01 December, 2009 UTC

Oxfam in Samoa says there are still gaps that need to be met in the recovery process for those displaced following this year’s tsunami.

It’s been just over two months since the destructive waves killed 186 people, 143 of those in Samoa.

Robin Baron with Oxfam in Samoa says the immediate priorities remain water and sanitation.

“There are a number of people who have been displaced who are still unable to access water regularly, the government has been responding with Oxfam and Red Cross’ support by trucking water. This is though a bit of an unsustainable thing and so Oxfam and the Red Cross are working with the government to look at other solutions. Sanitation is also a bit of a priority still, again there have been teams sweeping through the affected areas working with people on health and hygiene promotion.”

Robin Baron says the long-term priority is re-building and re-establishing people’s livelihoods.

She says it should be acknowledged that the Samoan government is managing the recovery effort well and is working with communities to move things along effectively.