Seven New Zealanders have been confirmed killed in last Wednesday's Samoan tsunami, with one other - a child - missing, presumed drowned.
Those dead or missing include: Mary Ann White, 55, of Raglan, Matamata sisters Petria and Rebecca Martin and 84-year-old Taua'avaga Tupuola of South Auckland. Aucklander Simon Anae, 56, died from a heart attack soon after running to higher ground to escape the waves, while Nelson 2-year-old Alfie Cunliffe was swept out to sea and is presumed dead.
One other New Zealander, a young child, is also missing, presumed dead.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is following up on a further 10 inquiries about New Zealanders who are still unaccounted for.
It is urging any Kiwis who have heard from loved ones to get in contact immediately.
Prime Minister John Key - who visited Samoa on Saturday - said on Monday the Cabinet would consider further aid over coming days, with any assistance likely to be "significantly greater" than the $2 million already committed.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said five medical staff left for Samoa yesterday, and a further seven were expected to fly out today.
They will join the 14 who arrived on Sunday.
The team includes a plastic surgeon, psychiatrist, Samoan-speaking grief counsellors, an infectious disease specialist, doctors, nurses and support staff.
The Samoan Red Cross Society estimated 3500 people were under temporary shelter, with many others staying with relatives, or being billeted.
New Zealand Red Cross humanitarian aid worker Douglas Clark said water and sanitation and psycho-social support were the focus.
Unicef - the United Nations children's fund - is working to distribute vitamin A supplements and measles vaccines to prevent a disease outbreak.
The European Union last week gave €150,000 ($305,000) to the Red Cross for emergency assistance. It is also looking at giving a further $3 million as the longer-term reconstruction needs become clear. Its normal aid programme for Samoa totalled $60 million, some of which could be reallocated to help with the crisis.
Meanwhile, in American Samoa villagers in remote areas were waiting for Government officials to assess damage to their homes and shops before they start the cleanup.
Jina Jang, a high school pupil whose family runs a convenience store in Fagatogo town, and her father were sweeping waterlogged papers, cancelled cheques and family photos into piles in front of their home and store. Broken shelves sat under the store's collapsed aluminum roof.
"We're waiting for FEMA [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] and others," the 17-year-old student said. "They said, 'Don't touch anything yet,' so we're just waiting."
Department of Education director Claire Tuia Poumele said extensive counselling for students and other officials in need would be provided.
"We understand the impact of such a disaster on everyone."
- Additional reporting NZPA
How you can help
Pacific Cooperation Foundation
Deposits can be made at at any Westpac branch. All the money raised will go to the Samoan Government
Red Cross
- Make a secure online donation at redcross.org.nz
- Send cheques to the Samoan Red Cross Fund, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
- Call 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation
- Make a donation at any NZ Red Cross office
ANZ bank
Make a donation at any ANZ bank branch, or donate directly to the ANZ appeal account: 01 1839 0143546 00
Oxfam
- Make a secure online donation at
Oxfam.org.nz
- Phone 0800 400 666 or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 600 20
