#Human Rights
Target:
Everyone
Region:
American Samoa
Website:
www.pacifikavoice.com

On September 29, 2009, a tsunami hit the Samoan islands, which killed hundreds of people and destroyed homes and entire villages.

Relief efforts are underway throughout the United States. Such endeavors in the greater Los Angeles area are led by churches, Chiefs, community organizations, and human rights activists. All have been instrumental in collecting goods based on needs communicated directly from those devastated by the disaster.

On September 30, 2009, President Barack Obama declared the events in American Samoa as a major disaster, thus authorizing FEMA to move forward with its work.

FEMA has since responded to American Samoa via directives from the Governor Togiola Tulafono.

Yesterday, October 9, 2009, Congresswoman Laura Richardson (http://richardson.house.gov/)
met with Samoan-American church leaders, elders, Chiefs, and community organizations actively involved in relief efforts within the Southern California area. She disclosed how actively involved her office has been with Congressman Faleomavaega, the Secretary of State office, FEMA, and Governor Togiola.

After days of deliberation to address logistical needs of the local relief efforts to obtain FEMA's assistance with air transportation, the community was told that Governor Togiola refused to sign the letter to FEMA activating the use of C-17's to transport now 360+ pallets of donated goods ready to go to American Samoa and Samoa, which are now placed in parking lots.

Dear Governor Togiola,

I am asking you to sign the letter to FEMA authorizing the use of C-17 air crafts to transport the much needed donated items to help the people devastated by the tsunami on September 29, 2009.

I am urging your attention to this matter, as these goods include medical supplies, food, water, bedding, clothes, toys, diapers, baby formula, wheelchairs, hammers and nails - items that can be of use to those affected.

The communities of Southern California have worked diligently around the clock to collect and gather the much needed donations for our brothers and sisters of Samoa, and need these items transported immediately to the hands of those who need it most.

Please sign the letter to authorize FEMA and the C-17 airlift of these goods to American Samoa today.

Sincerely,

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The Governor Togiola, PLEASE sign the letter to FEMA for the C-17's! petition to Everyone was written by Alofa Samoa and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.