Tag Archives: Samoa

Samoa’s White Sunday celebrates children

By David Youngmeyer - Communications Manager, UNICEF NZ, Published: October 13, 2009
Samoa came to a virtual standstill today as the nation turned its focus squarely on children as part of White Sunday celebrations.  Held on the second Sunday of October each year, White Sunday is an opportunity for this deeply religious community to celebrate the gift of children. The country is still coming to grips with [...]
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Tsunami also takes toll on learning hopes and dreams

By David Youngmeyer - Communications Manager, UNICEF NZ, Published: October 12, 2009
When people think of disasters, they probably don’t immediately think about education. There are so many other immediate concerns – need for medical help, need for shelter, need for food and water – that some might consider education not such a high priority. But that’s not the case at all. It’s vital for children to get [...]
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Tsunami warning stirs up bad memories

By David Youngmeyer - Communications Manager, UNICEF NZ, Published: October 9, 2009
It was pandemonium in Apia, Samoa today when the tsunami siren sounded. People quickly filled the streets, driving and walking away from the harbour in downtown Apia towards higher ground. With so many vehicles all headed in the same direction there was an instant traffic jam. It was actually quicker to walk. The roadside soon [...]
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Heartbreaking scenes in Samoa Tsunami disaster zone

By David Youngmeyer - Communications Manager, UNICEF NZ, Published: October 7, 2009
It’s hard to describe what it’s like in Samoa’s tsunami disaster zone. I accompanied a UNICEF emergency assessment team into Poutasi today, a village on the hard-hit southern coast. The 40 minute trip from Apia through mountain roads was pleasant. The terrain is all tropical vegetation with very few settlements. Reaching the top of the mountain [...]
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Emerging Needs for children after Samoa Tsunami

By David Youngmeyer - Communications Manager, UNICEF NZ, Published: October 7, 2009
A UN Children’s Fund emergency team is on the ground here in Samoa conducting rapid assessments to ensure the urgent needs of children are met following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck almost a week ago. The latest update on the number of tsunami victims shows 137 deaths, 310 injured and 6,700 displaced people, many [...]
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