ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Money raised at an unplanned, impromptu fund raiser during the Diwali concert of the Auckland Indian Association at Mahatma Gandhi Centre was presented to Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in the national capital Apia last week towards the government's tsunami releif fund.
The cheque was presented by Indian Weekender editor-in-chief Dev Nadkarni on behalf of the Auckland Indian Association and Auckland's Indian community during his visit to Samoa. Following the presentation and during an interview, the prime minister thanked the Indian community for its generosity.
He said the country had received unprecedented support from all over the world in terms of both cash contributions and in kind.
Over 170 people had been killed in the tsunami which hit the south east coast of the main Upolu island flattening entire coastal villages for several kilometres at a stretch. In many cases entiore families were swept away with one family losing as many as 15 members.
While the rebuilding exercise has begun in right earnest with infrastructural and monetary help particularly from governments and institutions in Australia and New Zealand, the task is challenging. Over $150 million will be required for reconstruction and rehabilitation, the prime minister told Indian Weekender.
Many villagers from the coastal areas now wish to settle on higher ground away from the tide line and the government will be tasked with providing new roads, water supply and other infrastructure.
Tourism, the nation's second highest revenue earner after remittances has suffered a setback with widespread cancellations following the tsunami in October but is now beginning to limp back to normal. Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni Retzlaff said it was important to convey to the people at large that no more than 15% pf the tourist accommodation had been affected by the tsunami.
Samoa has been a top performer in the development indices for several years and the tsunami will prove a temporary setback in the achievement of its developmental goals. But the country is known for the speed of its recovery from past disasters like cyclones and is fully geared up to the rebuilding process.
Money raised at an unplanned, impromptu fund raiser during the Diwali concert of the Auckland Indian Association at Mahatma Gandhi Centre was presented to Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in the national capital Apia last week towards the government's tsunami releif fund.
The...
Money raised at an unplanned, impromptu fund raiser during the Diwali concert of the Auckland Indian Association at Mahatma Gandhi Centre was presented to Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in the national capital Apia last week towards the government's tsunami releif fund.
The cheque was presented by Indian Weekender editor-in-chief Dev Nadkarni on behalf of the Auckland Indian Association and Auckland's Indian community during his visit to Samoa. Following the presentation and during an interview, the prime minister thanked the Indian community for its generosity.
He said the country had received unprecedented support from all over the world in terms of both cash contributions and in kind.
Over 170 people had been killed in the tsunami which hit the south east coast of the main Upolu island flattening entire coastal villages for several kilometres at a stretch. In many cases entiore families were swept away with one family losing as many as 15 members.
While the rebuilding exercise has begun in right earnest with infrastructural and monetary help particularly from governments and institutions in Australia and New Zealand, the task is challenging. Over $150 million will be required for reconstruction and rehabilitation, the prime minister told Indian Weekender.
Many villagers from the coastal areas now wish to settle on higher ground away from the tide line and the government will be tasked with providing new roads, water supply and other infrastructure.
Tourism, the nation's second highest revenue earner after remittances has suffered a setback with widespread cancellations following the tsunami in October but is now beginning to limp back to normal. Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni Retzlaff said it was important to convey to the people at large that no more than 15% pf the tourist accommodation had been affected by the tsunami.
Samoa has been a top performer in the development indices for several years and the tsunami will prove a temporary setback in the achievement of its developmental goals. But the country is known for the speed of its recovery from past disasters like cyclones and is fully geared up to the rebuilding process.
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