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Some of the New Zealanders caught in yesterday's tsunami were seriously injured when they were smashed about by the huge wave, Labour MP Chris Carter said today after visiting the victims in Apia's hospital.
He told NZPA there were 11 New Zealanders in the hospital when he and his colleague Luamanuvao Winnie Laban went there.
"Many of them were caught in the wave itself and have serious internal injuries," he said.
"And there is one young woman from Nelson, she has to have a second emergency operation on her leg.
"Another young woman was bashed extensively against debris in the water and was badly cut all over her body."
Mr Carter said the hospital was short of medical personnel but it received some unexpected help.
"A wonderful thing happened - 15 Australian medical students, quite senior students, were in Samoa on holiday and all of them volunteered and have been working in Apia hospital since yesterday," he said.
"A senior doctor told me `these Australians had been an absolute Godsend'."
Mr Carter said Australia had also sent a large number of medical personnel, including paramedics.
But he wasn't impressed by the Australian media.
"There was a rather shocking scene when we got to the hospital," he said.
"The Australian media had actually forced their way in and had just been going up to patients and interviewing them, particularly the Australian patients.
"Hospital authorities said they had to call security to keep the Australian journalists out. We were quite upset about what had happened."
Earlier, acting Prime Minister Bill English announced the Government would provide $1m for immediate disaster relief, with the money going to respective governments and the Red Cross.
"We expect further funds. I emphasis this is just the beginning of a long haul for the NZ Government providing resources."
He announced that Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully will travel to Samoa tomorrow to assist with co-ordinating between the New Zealand and Samoa.
The prime minister will go to Apia on Sunday morning and be on the ground for 12 hours.
He said 344 New Zealanders in Samoa have reported in as being safe.
An Australian Hercules will leave later today with a New Zealand helicopter on it.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from No. 40 squadron arrived in Samoa this morning, carrying aid, Red Cross and defence force personnel, medial and relief supplies including emergency shelters to help those affected.
An Air Force Orion is continuing searches for missing people as well as providing imagery and information to the governments of both Samoa and New Zealand. This will allow authorities to determine the scope of the disaster and provide help to those who need it most.
The navy has also placed its amphibious support ship HMNZS Canterbury on alert to take part in relief operations and will sail early next week.
A contingent of New Zealand police has flown to Samoa on Air New Zealand.
In an update briefing on the situation in Tonga, Mr English told reporters there are reports that in one town in Tonga, 95 per cent of the town has been destroyed and he said he expects calls from the Tongan government for assistance.
It was likely the death toll in Tonga would increase.
- NZPA with NZ HERALD STAFF
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
