I work in travel marketing, and I know the folks at the American Samoa Tourism Office, which is where this information comes from. When the tidal wave struck, I actually contacted both American Samoa and Western Samoa's offices. I have yet to hear back from the office in Western Samoa. If anybody knows how to help victims there, please add it to the comment section below.
I hope that we will all consider helping. My concern is that it will be assumed from the relatively low deathtoll, especially compared to that in Indonesia, that there is no need there. Nothing could be further from the truth. My understanding is that many villages (particularly those on the water) were badly damaged. Most resorts on the water were obliterated, and many of the people who work there live near there, and had homes destroyed.
At any rate, the folks at the tourism office tell me there are two ways we all can help. They are listed below.
- A freight consolidator in Los Angeles, CII, has donated a 40 foot
shipping container to get immediately needed hard goods out to the island.
These include canned goods, bottled water, first aid and non-prescription medicines, clothing, blankets, and other necessities. The container will be shipped on Wednesday October 7 in the late afternoon, so nothing can arrive later than 1 PM on that day. Please address all packages to THE ROTARY CLUB OF PAGO PAGO c/o CII (Consolidators Intl Inc), 8900 Bellanca Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. If you are expressing these shipments, please send them to the attention of Tony Feist. The phone number there is 310-649-6160. This arrangement was made via the Rotary Club in Pago Pago.
This may seem a strange decision, until you realize that American Samoa is very remote, and ship deliveries are far more common than air freight - especially large ones.
- You can contribute to the American Red Cross by going here:
http://www.redcross.org/...
The folks at the American Samoa Tourism Office tell me they appreciate all good thoughts and prayers along with whatever anyone chooses to do.
Thanks.