A faith-based organisation has helped over 3,000 families across Samoa through the provision of water, food supplies and hygiene kits as well as awareness on COVID-19 care and safety measures.

Caritas Samoa is the Catholic Agency for Samoa aid and development and is a member of the Caritas Federation/Caritas Internationalis.

As local authorities work to contain the community spread of COVID-19, Caritas Samoa revealed that they were not caught off guard by the spreading pandemic.

“The onset of a COVID-19 community outbreak was sudden, but it did not catch us off guard,” a Caritas Samoa statement reads. 

The humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church in Samoa revealed that their organisation has been working in emergency response since 2009 and their objectives are to save lives, reduce loss and alleviate suffering.

“Caritas Samoa has been preparing for our current situation for over a year and since the beginning of the outbreak in our country last month, we have been responding using the tools, training and resources developed and procured.”

The faith-based organisation said they've completed a project early this year, the Ready Environments Addressing COVID-19 and Hygiene, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented with Catholic Relief Services.

“We armed over 3,000 families across the country with knowledge through one-on-one sessions on proper COVID-19 care and safety measures, improved water security for over 500 people, and prepositioned 700 hygiene kits currently being distributed to individuals and families who have fallen ill.

“This rapid distribution started in March 2022 abiding by national safety regulations. 

“Hygiene kits include items to deter the spread of disease such as a large supply of soap, disinfectants, and PPE, as well as basic items needed for safe recuperation at home like feminine pads, bedsheets, Chinese mats, nappies/diapers, incontinence pads, and towels.”

Caritas Samoa also recognised that the food security of countless families have been threatened by the crisis and it had to be addressed.

“Through the generous funding from Caritas Australia, we have been able to distribute food packages including rice, chicken, canned tuna, corned beef, cereal, milk, etc., and basic needs items like toilet paper. 

“This funding has also allowed us to provide extensive Personal Protective Equipment to our staff and volunteers on the ground.   

“We would like to express our immense gratitude to our donors, partners, staff, and volunteers who have been, and continue to be at the frontline providing assistance where it’s most needed. 

“As we navigate life in the midst of this crisis, together, we will continue to do everything within our power to minimise the suffering caused by this pandemic.”