Samoa still struggling six months after killer waves

Houses in Samoa have been rebuilt and roads are in place, but the people are still suffering from the disaster six months ago.

Last September 29, the land on Upolu's southern coast was struck, killing 143 people. The country's fledgling tourism industry lost 11 resorts.

The Samoan Tourism Authority said the number of Australians visiting had dropped by about 10 per cent compared to this time last year.

"The reason for the drop in sales [was] because some of the popular resorts that were affected by the tsunami were out of action," said Lorenzo McFarland, the authority's marketing representative in Australia.

Andrew McKie, international operations manager for the New Zealand Red Cross, said some tourism operators were back in action.

But he said the long-term damage continues. "A lot of people, especially young people, children, are worried about the sea."

The NZ Red Cross dedicated $4 million for reconstruction.

- AAP