Funds diverted to help small farmers and fishers after tsunami

Apia, Samoa – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today it is preparing recovery efforts in Samoa in anticipation of the outcome of rapid assessment missions that will determine the extent of last week’s tsunami damage on the livelihoods of small farmers and fishing communities in the Pacific island country.

The early morning tsunami, generated by an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale, killed some 143 people and injured more than 310. Six people remain missing. Almost 3 500 people are homeless and without livelihoods. The Samoan government has estimated damage to infrastructure, public and private properties at around US$155million.

FAO said it would begin immediate assistance in the affected areas, by using funds from current development activities that have not yet been implemented.

"These efforts will assist in restoring the livelihoods of many households,” according to Vili A. Fuavao, FAO’s Sub-regional Representative for the Pacific based in Apia. “Now that emergency relief efforts are winding down, FAO and our UN partners are prepared to assist the Samoan government with recovery and rehabilitation efforts to get tsunami survivors back to work."

"With regard to Tonga, which was also hit by the tsunami, FAO has communicated through the UN resident coordinator our readiness to assist Tonga’s farming and fisheries rehabilitation effort,” Dr Fuavao added.

The FAO response will assist Samoa with the restoration of sustainable small-scale fishing and agriculture in stricken coastal areas of Samoa.

Among the actions being planned by FAO are:

• The replacement of lost fishing equipment, such as small boats, fishing nets and lines;

• Restocking of backyard poultry and livestock;

• Provision of new farming tools.

FAO will also intensify its ongoing efforts to encourage the planting and consumption of locally grown vegetables and other crops, including fast growing local crops like “island cabbage,” also known in Samoa as Laupele, to help diversify diets of the affected populations.

Contact: John Riddle (Apia, Samoa) +685 76 101 47
[email protected]


More information at:
http://www.faopacific.ws/