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Operation SAMOA ASSIST

05 October 2009
Operation Samoa Assist

Aid supplies from across the Pacific have begun to flow into Samoa after a tsunami devastated the southern region of the small island nation.

Flown in from Australia and New Zealand aboard RAAF C-130 and C-17 aircraft, the supplies were distributed from a fire station in the main island of Upolu.

The Australian-donated stores included 127 family-sized tents, 1340 water jerry cans, 975 wool blankets, 1000 mosquito nets, 970 tarpaulins and 1250 water purification tablets.

A variety of government and non government agencies including DFAT and Green Peace worked together to ensure the supplies reached those in tsunami-affected areas.

The tsunami that struck Samoa and American Samoa followed an earthquake of 8.1 magnitude about 240km southwest of Apia in Samoa at 0648 on 29 SEP (local time).

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Australian Army Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Paul Hostein stands out side the Samoan Australian High Commission waiting for assistance to get home after his holiday was cut short by the Samoan tsunami disaster.

(Date taken: 01 October 2009)
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A local Samoan aid worker moves and sorts Australian government donated aid items that are to be distributed to areas affected by the Samoan Tsunami.

(Date taken: 01 October 2009)
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A local Samoan aid worker moves and sorts Australian government donated aid items that are to be distributed to areas affected by the Samoan Tsunami.

(Date taken: 01 October 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

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A Samoan aid worker moves and sorts Australian government donated aid items to be distributed to areas affected by the Samoan Tsunami.

(Date taken: 01 October 2009)
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A Samoan aid worker moves Australian government-donated aid on to the back of his truck to be distributed the areas affected by the Samoan Tsunami.

(Date taken: 01 October 2009)
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