2009 SAMOA TSUNAMI RELIEF PROJECTS
The following tsunami relief projects were all approved by the Seacology Board of Directors at their January 23, 2010 meeting:
Lotopu'e Village, Aleipata District Marine Protected Area - New water tanks and pipelines to the existing water supply network as the village, which was destroyed, is moving inland. 
UPDATE May 2010 - In March 2010 ten water tanks were purchased and handed over to the ten families in the village by the chairman and the MPA District committee.
Mulivai and Tafitoala, Safata Marine Protected Area - Clean up materials in the village wetland and mangrove areas that were washed there by the tsunami from nearby hotels.
UPDATE May 2010 - The MPA cleanup for Mulivai and Tafitoala was conducted at the end of February 2010. The community and Safata MPA District committee members were involved in this cleanup and divided into 3 groups. The first team snorkeled in the lagoon collecting roofing irons and other debris using MPA boats. The other two teams did beach cleanup including mangrove areas and beaches at Mulivai and Tafitoala Villages. It is estimated that a total of 28 to 30 cubic meters of waste was transported to the Tafaigata dumping site. The Safata District committee is planning to continue the cleanup at other villages and inside the peninsula, and plans to cover the whole MPA.
Mutiatele Ma Malaela, Aleipata District Marine Protected Area - New water tanks and extension of the water supply network to the new location of the village further inland.
UPDATE May 2010 - Fifteen 1,000 liter tanks and three 3,000 liter tanks were purchased in March 2010. Distribution of these water tanks was conducted by the MPA chairman and the District committee. Field representative Cedric Schuster reports that the water network supply to families along the lower end of the village is still under construction. An additional small grant from the Samoa Tsunami Emergency Fund was awarded in November 2010 for repair of the villages’ freshwater pool, which was damaged during the tsunami.
Poutasi Village, Falealili District - Cleanup of the mangrove areas and inshore reef as well as some village replanting and water tanks for families moving inland. (The photos below show Poutasi Village before and after the tsunami.)
UPDATE May 2010 - Field representative Cedric Schuster visited the project in April 2010 for the opening of the renovated spring pool which the community now uses for a water supply, which is especially necessary for families that the government water supply does not reach. He was also present when water tanks were distributed to families identified by the committee as most in need. Additionally, the mangrove replanting program has started.
UPDATE January 2011 - The mangrove replanting program has been completed at the damaged mangrove areas with the intention of extending it to the unaffected areas.
Satitoa Village, Aleipata District Marine Protected Area - New water supply system for the village which, because 100 percent of the homes were destroyed, is being relocated to higher ground.
UPDATE May 2010 - A short service was held in May 2010 to officially handover 22 water tanks to the families of Satitoa who were affected by the 2009 tsunami. Field representative Cedric Schuster and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources witnessed the handing over of these water tanks and all fittings to the village mayor and people of Satitoa Village.
Indicates full or partial funding by Seacology Japan
