On September 29 last year, 19 villages on the south eastern coast of Samoa's Upolu Island were shattered by a tsunami wave that reached 400 metres inland. At least 140 lives were literally washed away in the floods, and from Aleipata to Falealil thousands were left without homes, resources and vital infrastructure.
Caritas Australia's CEO, Jack de Groot, said: "Bolstered by the support of AusAID, the International Caritas Confederation, and the generosity of so many Australians, Caritas mounted a $1.5 million Samoan reconstruction program that has saved lives and seen homes rebuilt, families reunited, schools enlivened and communities renewed.
"The strength of Caritas response in Samoa is its community based approach. Within six hours of the tsunami our partners were responding to the immediate needs of desperate coastal communities, and over the past year we've been working at the grassroots to rebuild and strengthen communities for the long term."
In the wake the tsunami Caritas' local partner delivered emergency food and water aid to almost 300 families in the affected communities. One year on, Caritas has facilitated the construction of 70 cyclone-proof fales (traditional Samoan homes) for families across Poutasi, Salea'aumua, Satioa, Maninoa, Satalo, Vaovai and Sa'anapu.
"As well as being one of the first organisations to address the immediate and tangible needs of the affected communities, the Caritas network has sought to empower families to overcome the obstacles of their tragedy.
"The provision of new school uniforms, coupled with compassionate psycho-social support, has enabled hundreds of children – terrified of the ocean – to confidently return to coastal schools. Caritas partners have also facilitated mentoring and youth leadership training in all but three of the affected communities, empowering young people to play an active role in long-term, community emergency preparedness.
"There is of course deep respect and gratitude for Australia's support of the reconstruction, but Samoan communities can also take great pride in everything they have achieved. Our role as partners in crisis is to nurture and nourish that determined spirit as vulnerable communities take the reins on their own reconstruction."