Let’s Send Canada’s Love & Support to Samoa
AN URGENT FUNDRAISING APPEAL For Samoa Measles Crisis
Updated by Pacific Peoples’ Partnership on December 30, 2019
Our hearts are breaking for Samoa, and Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) requests your help as we try to bring some comfort to the Samoan peoples during the holiday season. We have received firsthand reports from our partner Samoa Social Welfare Fesoasoani Trust about the measles crisis in Samoa. PPP has reviewed footage and photos of young victims and their devastated and grieving families. It is an unbearable tragedy, and the Samoan peoples are in our prayers and actions as we fundraise to support the families.
Our partner Leaula Theresa VH Asiata writes: “Thank you to your organization for thinking of our small nation of the measles outbreak. It is heartbreaking to bury your loved ones especially the young children. I for one was affected by this terrible outbreak, my grandson of 14 months was the first victim of the measles. He passed away on the White Sunday for all the Children of Samoa. … Our organization is opening our doors to the families for counseling and other help towards these families.
Our organization is been volunteering for our Red Cross here in Samoa, so we do have a list of families that their children died from the measles. We are grateful to Pacific Peoples Partnership and especially to your President for this kind contribution to our beautiful Samoa. I know for a fact your President understand and know exactly what our people needs so whatever your organization provide will appreciate, but just a thought small toys for children since its the Christmas time just to uplift the spirit of xmas for these young families who there kids passed away from the measles.”
-Ma lou faaaloalo tele (Kind regards) from the Samoa Social Welfare Fesoasoani Trust (SSWFT)
In a Pacific island nation with just under 200,000 people, everyone has been touched by this medical emergency. As of December 28, 2019, the Government of Samoa reports 5,667 cases of measles, 12 in the last 24 hours, and 81 deaths (mostly children). 95% of the populations has been vaccinated during this state of emergency.
PPP’s President Muavae Va’a, is Samoan and will be travelling to be with Samoan families and provide support. He will be leaving Canada for Samoa on December 31 and will be there until January 13th, 2020. We are urgently collecting donations for the affected families and in support of our partner SSWFT, who is also responding.
To contribute, please make a secure on line donation to #2 Pacific Resilience Fund before December 31, 2019 at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/pacific-peoples-partnership-association/
To learn more about the Pacific Resilience Fund visit here: https://archive.pacificpeoplespartnership.org/pacific-resilience-fund/
For more news:
PPP President Mua Va’a speaks about the crisis and our campaign on CBC (24:45 in broadcast): https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-43-north-by-northwest/clip/73379-sunday-december-15
“Why my baby?” How measles robbed Samoa of its young: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/19/world/asia/samoa-measles.html
Tiny Samoa has had nearly 5,000 measles cases. Here’s how it got so bad. https://www.vox.com/2019/12/18/21025920/measles-outbreak-2019-samoa
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Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) is Canada’s sole charity and NGO devoted to the peoples of the South Pacific. Our President Muavae (Mua) Va’a is Samoan and is planning to head home December 31 to Jan 13, 2020 to provide help and assistance. PPP is collecting funds to help out the affected families. Mua will be delivering these Canadian donations directly to Samoan families in need. We can offer tax deductible receipts through our Pacific Resilience Fund, Donate to campaign #2 HERE
Please help us show that Canadians care by supporting the Samoan peoples as they fight this horrific illness, grieve their unspeakable losses and begin to recover.
Media / Information:
Learn about the Pacific Resilience Funds
CBC The Current https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1654834243876
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/no-reprieve-as-samoa-measles-death-toll-hits-70-1.4721211