THE Government yesterday handed over around $500,000 (more than USD$60,000) to the people of American Samoa for relief efforts there.
National Disaster Council Chairman Fred Fakarii handed the money through Port Moresby-based Charge de Affaires Paul Berg, witnessed by Douglas Carey, Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, based in Washington DC, and US Consul Keithie Saunders.
In handing over the money, Mr Fakarii said the support was small compared to what the US Government had been supporting Solomon Islands with in relation to disasters.
He cited their support after the 2007 Gizo tsunami through the Solomon Islands Red Cross, their warships’ Goodwill visits to Western Province later that year, and recently, the January Guadalcanal floods.
Mr Fakarii also mentioned the 15-year support the US Government had given to Disaster Management training for the region through The Asian Foundation and United States Overseas Development Assistance, TAF/OFDA, over the last 15 years in which Solomon Islands had also benefited tremendously.
“TAF/OFDA also supported us in training our ten Provincial Disaster Officers in a six-month course in 2007,” he added.
He added that although the money was small, it was a token of support from ‘our hearts’ to those who had been affected by the tsunami last year.
“We know what it’s like because we had a tsunami in Gizo in 2007.”
In response Charge de Affairs Paul Berg said he was ‘profoundly and deeply thankful to the people and government of the Solomon Islands’.
“I am very touched. I know this comes from the heart of the people and government of Solomon Islands and I thank you most sincerely, and I am sure the American Samoan people will too, for the donation,” he said.
He also added that there are a lot of good things he has and is still learning from Melanesian people. “You are open, kind and very warm towards other people, and I appreciate this – very much,” he said.
“Please convey my profound and deep thanks, on behalf of the people of American Samoa, to your government and people,” Mr Berg asked Mr Fakarii. American Samoa and Samoa suffered damages when a tsunami hit the islands late last year.
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