A faith-based organisation has donated food supplies and hygiene kits totally valued at $65,000 to the Police and Fire and Emergency Service Authority (F.E.S.A.) in recognition of their work during the pandemic.

Representatives of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (A.D.R.A.) Samoa handed over to Police and F.E.S.A. food supplies and hygiene kits valued at $65,000. A small ceremony was held at the Police headquarters to mark the event. 

Guests at the ceremony included the Acting Police and Prisons Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, the A.D.R.A. Samoa Country Director Sua Julia Wallwork, F.E.S.A. Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga and Deputy Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Ket.

The President of the Samoa and Tokelau Adventist Mission, Pastor Sione Ausage, who is also the Chairman of the A.D.R.A. Samoa led the ceremony with a prayer. 

Pastor Sione said the work being carried out by the Police and F.E.S.A. officers is not easy.

He added that while enforcing the law, officers have been exposed to the virus and tested positive.

Speaking on behalf of A.D.R.A. Samoa, Sua said as their organisation is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, they are not biased with the help they offer.

She said during the measles epidemic the A.D.R.A was able to help the Ministry of Health but with the COVID-19 pandemic they have chosen the Police and F.E.S.A.

“While we are resting within our homes, your services in keeping Samoa safe never stops whether it is during the day or night,” she said.

“These are our other frontliners who put their lives on the line, this is the least we can do to honour them.

“They are also sacrificing time away from families to carry our their mandatory service to ensure the safety of the nation.”   

Samoa Police were given 1,000 bags of rice and 1,000 boxes of noodles together with 92 care bags for those who have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Whereas the F.E.S.A. were presented with 200 bags of rice and 200 boxes of noodles with 79 care bags. The Deputy Police and Prisons Commissioner, Leiataua Samuel Afamasaga acknowledged the assistance from A.D.R.A. 

Auapaau confirmed over 300 police officers and staff members have tested positive for coronavirus out of 892 but 214 are back at work after they fully recovered. 

“We thank members of the public who have given food supplies to some of the officers at various checkpoints," he said. "The Lord has been able to help us as we try and manage our operations despite the numbers decreasing.

“I also acknowledge the work our front line officers are doing because they stepped up to the challenge despite the risk of contracting the virus while carrying out their duties.”

The F.E.S.A. Commissioner said 79 F.E.S.A. officers have tested positive to COVID-19 out of 176 staff. 

“The good thing is 59 have recovered from COVID and so far the numbers keep increasing for those calling for ambulance services.”