(Press Release) -- After a period of inactivity, the local American Samoa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ASVOAD) reconstituted immediately to foster necessary services to the people affected by the tsunami-earthquake disaster of 29 September. ASVOAD began to bring in new members and opened invitations to faith-based, voluntary, and non-profit organizations to spearhead relief and recovery efforts.
The Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) has established and donated administrative support for ASVOAD, providing workspace and telephone lines. The CCCAS has made available the grounds, staff, and resources of the Church to accommodate the needs of the ASVOAD. The ASVOAD meetings are generally held at the CCCAS compound which also houses the multi-agency donation warehouse (MADW) and facilitates collection, sorting and distribution of in-kind donations.
Reverend Samuelu T. Tialavea, Jr., General Secretary of the CCCAS currently serves as ASVOAD’s Chairman. The remaining executive officers are Vice Chair, Mr. Jim Mahoney, President, Rotary Club of Pago Pago, American Samoa; Secretary, Mrs. Faaalu Faletoese Iuli, Executive Director, American Samoa Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence; and Treasurer, Dr. Falema’o “Phil” Pili, American Samoa Community College’s Chief Financial Officer.
Other volunteer staffing supporting the executive board are: National VOAD (NVOAD) Point of Contact, Mrs. Evelyn Sa’o-Stevens from the Pualele Foundation; Public Information Officer, Pastor Vickie Haleck, Founder & Executive Director, Teen Challenge; the Territorial Voluntary Agency Liaison (TVAL) & Donations Coordination Team Chair, Mrs. Easter Asi-Bruce, Program Manager, American Samoa Disaster Relief and Recovery Program; and the FEMA VAL, Mr. Charles Craig.
The unique partnerships of ASVOAD and NVOAD enables the leveraging of resources providing the capability to implement the Long Term Recovery Plan (LTRP). The italicized text in the following paragraphs are snapshots from the recently published LTRP detailing ASVOAD activities that have already been accomplished.
The Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) established a strong working relationship with the CCCAS to begin the groundwork for long-term recovery efforts. The MDS has secured housing quarters at one of the CCCAS housing units.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) responded opening their church halls as shelters. LDS members transported evacuees to nearby shelters, delivered food and water, as well as securing durable medical equipment. The LDS brought in 15 wheelchairs, 20 crutches, and 2 walkers.
FEMA supported ASG by providing a short term housing kit consisting of a two-person tent (Yurt), with a liquid fuel two burner stove, fuel container and fuel lantern and flashlights. 1200 tents were distributed to 657 families. American Red Cross (ARC) also complemented this with a cooler that contained comfort kits, work gloves, hammer and flash lights along with cots. Off-island groups distributed lots of food and supplies.
World Vision, with the Alofa Tunoa Ministries has been in the villages with donations of food, water and personal care packages. The Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief provided purified water at the disaster sites to families with 5-gallon water bottles; they bought the islands entire stock.
The ARC, through the national organization, brought 87 volunteers in from their Disaster Services Human Resource (DSHR) system. ARC also had Americorps volunteers’ plus 273 local volunteers. ARC distributed tuna, powdered milk, crackers, spam, sugar, flour, potatoes, onions, rice, 446 cases of dry ramen noodles, 8,721 cases of water and 99,490 snacks. Additionally, ARC strategically distributed by implementing the “Hot Shot” approach, 2,205 blue tarps, 548 sleeping mats, 12,500 trash bags, 443 empty 50-quart coolers and 120 pallets of bulk supplies from Hawaii. ARC was able to serve 65, 288 persons through its bulk distribution efforts.
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) also brought in volunteers to support the on-island affiliate Catholic Social Services (CSS). CCUSA also gave $10,000 to CSS.
Save the Children (STC) also distributed 270 kits of school supplies in addition to setting up Child Friendly Spaces at several locations including the DRC.
Tzu Chi Foundation (TCF) distributed debit cards to families identified by ASG. TCF provided $89,400 to 481 families. In-kind donations to various local agencies and to ASG, including food and clothes have also been distributed.
Convoy of Hope and Hands On Disaster Relief groups were on the ground assisting in the relief efforts and bridging relations with ASVOAD to help with recovery initiatives.
Feed the Children one 40-foot container and one 20-foot container, containing 672 mid-weight sleeping bags, 504 duffle bags, 2,304 four-person Coleman dome tents w/carry bag and 5,760 flashlights w/o batteries.
Five Community Resource Sites (CRS) were established in the harder hit villages by ASVOAD through coordination by CCUSA and served as points of distribution for in-kind goods to all villages. The CRS were opened for five days when first launched.
To recap, what is ASVOAD? In a nutshell, ASVOAD is comprised of a diverse and talented mix of experienced, humanitarian, compassionate Samoans anxious to help our island heal by helping to rebuild homes and lives. Why is it important to know about them? The composition of their organization, partnership with American Samoa Disaster Relief & Recovery Program and the national resources at their fingertips gives them the most strategic advance in quality expedition of implementing recovery efforts as outlined in the recently published LTRP.
The Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) recently formed as well as sub-committees to begin rebuilding homes and lives for our disaster survivors. Look for follow on articles pertaining to the recent creation of the LTRC and sub-committees.
For more information please visit them online: http://www.asvoad.org or contact them at 699-9809.
(Source: ASVOAD press release)
