CWS situation report: 2009 Samoan tsunami
Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A sub-sea earthquake appears to be the cause of a massive tsunami some 120 miles off the coast of Samoa, an island in the South Pacific and home to around 475,000 people. The 8.0-magnitude earthquake created a tsunami that eyewitnesses say was around 20 feet high, engulfing buildings around the island's perimeter.

Situation

A sub-sea earthquake appears to be the cause of a massive tsunami some 120 miles off the coast of Samoa, an island in the South Pacific and home to around 475,000 people. The 8.0-magnitude earthquake created a tsunami that eyewitnesses say was around 20 feet high, engulfing buildings around the island's perimeter.

The Independent State of Samoa sustained at least 110 casualties, while at least 24 lost their lives in the adjoining U.S. territory of American Samoa. The death toll is expected to rise.

More casualties are confirmed on the small northern island of Niuatoputapu, in Tonga.

U.S. President Barack Obama has already declared a major disaster in American Samoa, with teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency already on the way, and with additional support guaranteed for the Independent State of Samoa and Niuatoputapu.

Widespread damage to houses and infrastructure has occurred in the region. Caritas Australia workers report efforts underway to provide emergency medical care at converted facilities.

CWS Response

Church World Service staff are monitoring the situation, staying in contact with FEMA Region 9 staff and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

CWS stands ready to provide material resources, training and project development support to the affected areas.

How to help

Contributions to support Church World Service emergency response and recovery efforts may be made online, by phone (800-297-1516), or sent to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.