An undersea earthquake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale and based south of the Samoan archipelago, resulted in a massive tsunami on 29 September. Media reports say it has claimed over 150 lives and affected tens of thousands of others, and these numbers are expected to rise.

Villages, homes and communication lines have been destroyed as the large waves, measuring as high as 2.5 metres, surged inland.

A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been dispatched to Samoa.

For its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sent medical supplies – including gloves and gowns – at the Government’s request.

The agency is also distributing clean water to the victims and helping to transport evacuees and injured people.

Also affected by the tsunami is Tonga, where WHO has dispatched a health specialist from its Fiji office, to help local authorities respond to the quake’s aftermath.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has mobilized its emergency response team, also from its Fiji office.

“Our hearts and minds are with the children and families of Samoa and Tonga right now,” said agency representative Isiye Ndombi.

“From past experiences we know that it is especially important that we work to immediately immunize children against measles, ensure the protection of women and children who are especially vulnerable now, and establish good sanitation facilities to prevent outbreak of diseases,” he added.

Yesterday, Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), urged governments to strengthen efforts to protect coastal communities.

In a message released by the agency, he said he was “deeply distressed by the losses provoked by this most recent tsunami in the Pacific Ocean.”

He stressed that “national authorities must maintain and constantly improve their communications and warning systems to help protect coastal populations, which are inevitably vulnerable to such phenomena.”