The American Red Cross took delivery of 122 pallets of supplies for residents of American Samoa, who are still working to recover from the Sept. 29 tsunami that killed a reported 34 people and damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes.
The supplies that arrived Saturday evening included diapers, baby formula, towels, brooms and feminine hygiene products—all of which are in short supply on the island. The delivery included bolts of fabric that could be cut into lava-lava—the traditional skirt-like garment that is worn by men and women on American Samoa.
More than 300 workers from the American Red Cross, representing chapters on American Samoa, Hawaii and across the U.S. mainland, are at work on American Samoa to provide assistance to those affected by the tsunami. The workers will distribute the new supplies to villages across American Samoa, along with tuna, rice, noodles and water.
“People here have temporary housing and cots and cooking utensils, so we’re providing food supplies that will allow them to cook at home,” said Red Cross worker Bob Howard.
Donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enable the Red Cross to purchase needed supplies at the best price possible and deliver them as efficiently as possible to those affected by all disasters.
