Call for help goes out
Samoa needs our help as it battles a rapidly escalating measles outbreak, with the death toll among children climbing by the day. Ofa Boyle is general manager of Fale Pasifika O Aoraki, the agency leading the appeal in South Canterbury.
As the measles epidemic in Samoa continues to cause heartbreak in the island nation, a South Canterbury Pasifika agency is seeking the community’s help.
Fale Pasifika o Aoraki, an organisation created to support South Canterbury’s 800-strong Pacific community, is collecting items for the children of Samoa to support families through the epidemic.
Items such as nappies, disposable gloves, tissues, hand sanitisers and children’s drinks and cereal are being sought.
The organisation’s general manager Ofa Boyle said the agency felt it was important something was done to help as it ran a programme with mothers and babies to encourage immunisation, and because it works with South Canterbury people with connections to Samoa, many who travel there frequently.
‘‘This is a good cause and we wanted to help in any way we could,’’ Boyle said.
‘‘For our Pasifika people, or anyone who travels to Samoa, please make sure you have your immunisation, travel back safe, and when you come back keep our community safe too.’’
‘‘This is a good cause and we wanted to help in any way we could.’’ Ofa Boyle
Fale Pasifika o Aoraki
A state of emergency order was released on Wednesday morning as the Samoan Ministry of Health confirmed 4052 measles cases.
The country has since gone into shutdown and a door-to-door mass vaccination campaign is underway.
Boyle said items to minimise the risk of spreading the virus had been chosen by the organisation.
She also suggested drinks and cereal be donated for sick children who may be struggling to eat big meals.
The items can be donated tomorrow at Timaru’s Community House car park on Strathallan St, or by arrangement to the Fale Pasifika offices in Community House.
The items will then be taken to Christchurch and shipped to Samoa on December 14.