Caritas Samoa concluded its measles relief after helping more than 250 families in rural villages.

 This was confirmed by the Programme Coordinator of Caritas Samoa, Karen Anaya, organising the assistance for vulnerable families.

She said that out of 255 families well over 1,500 people including 470 were patients who contracted the virus received help.

“Caritas Samoa was on the ground assisting families, caring for their sick loved ones at home in remote areas of rural villages in environments not apt for successful recuperation,” she said.

Ms. Anaya added that the majority of the families that received assistance were isolated, residing in extremely hard to reach places with no resources and no education on the matter.

“We assisted through the distribution of perishable and nonperishable relief items (such as food, drinking water, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, surgical masks, soap, mattresses, mats, mosquito nets, clothing, cleaning supplies, diapers, baby wipes, hydration salts, blankets, pillows, bed sheets, etc).

“Promotion of hygiene practices, vaccination, and information on how to prevent, recognize, and treat measles and encourage seeking help from a medical facility/professional.”

She also added that they assisted with drivers, vehicles, and data entry personnel for the National Emergency Operations Centre, their mass vaccination campaign, and efforts through the Ministry of Health.

“We also supplied hospitals with large donations of food, bedsheets, diapers, and baby wipes and hospital patients and caretakers with snacks, baby formula, blankets, and water.

Ms. Anaya also acknowledged her team of staff and over 30 volunteers for their hard work during this crisis.

“We thank the local donations from generous souls all around Samoa and Ah Liki Wholesale and Bluebird Construction. 

“We thank the Catholic Community of Parramatta, Australia; Diocese of Pago Pago, American Samoa; Office Max New Zealand; sister agencies, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Caritas Australia and Catholic Relief Services who remained by our side.

“Your constant unfailing support is invaluable.”

She added that they will continue to serve those most vulnerable around the country and strive for their increased knowledge on health and nutrition, access to clean water and shelter, better sanitation and hygiene practices, and an overall improvement of their living conditions.

“We hope, as a country, to learn from this situation. We are committed to diligently work with partners to prevent a similar situation from ever occurring again.

Caritas Samoa works in close partnership with Caritas agencies, international relief organisations, as well as the Samoan government’s National Disaster Management Office to provide assistance and training where needed.