Governor Lolo Moliga announced at a cabinet meeting this morning that the American Samoa Government is organizing a territorial fundraising drive to help Samoa as it grapples with a deadly measles epidemic.
The Suiga ula o le Atuvasa will be set up as the collection center for the public to drop off clothing, food, money and whatever they will donate for the cause.
The fundraiser for Samoa will begin tomorrow and continue up to December 20 and will be headed by Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega and Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipea.
Member of the fundraising committee are Taimalelagi Dr Claire Tuia Poumele, Cathy Saelua, Eseneiaso Liu, Faleosina Voigt, Dr. Oreta Crichton, Dr. Ruth Matagi Tofiga, Ruth Matagi Faatili, Malemo Tausaga, Muavaefa’atasi John Suisala, Tuimavave Tauapai Laupola and Pau Roy Ausage.
The governor has also set the threshold amount for contributions from government employees and directors.
All ASG employees are to contribute $10, deputy directors -$100, directors and CEOs-$300.
The fundraising committee will seek contributions from churches and the public.
Lolo said that Samoa and American Samoa are one people and the territory cannot just watch while another part of its body is suffering.
He recalled that after Hurricane Tusi, Samoa was the first to respond sending a boat load of produce to Manu’a.
He said while the territory is under the United States, it cannot ignore its cultural and ancestral ties to Samoa.
“It is times of suiffering such as this that one comes to know its real brothers and sisters,” he said.
The governor said he has asked the Director of Health and CEO of LBJ Hospital to collaborate with doctors to conduct a clinical analysis of the measles epidemic in Samoa.
The results of such an analysis would determine the next level of the territory’s measles surveillance.
From his observations of the screening of arriving and departing passengers at the airport yesterday, Lolo said it’s was necessary to review entry permit policies for children travelers.
The governor commended the efforts of Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua and his staff in responding to the measles epidemic in Samoa and protecting our borders.
However he believes some improvements were needed.
He told directors that the proof of immunization policies are put in place for the protection of the territory and asked that everyone adhere to them.
KHJ News has learned that on Saturday a lawmaker had sought the governor’s intervention for a traveler from Samoa and her children who did not meet the 14 day prior to travel vaccination.
The governor said he told the individual concerned that if he approved his request he may as well do away with the measures that are now in place for the territory’s safety.
The mother and her children were refused entry st the airport.
Lolo informed the cabinet that he was able to reach Samoa Prime Minsiter Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi this morning and offered him encouragement during this difficult time.
He also pledged the support of the people of American Samoa and offered to assist in whatever Samoa needed help with.
Today’s cabinet meeting included a comprehensive presentation by the Department of Health on the immunization campaign, surveillance of travelers and other efforts to prevent a measles outbreak in the territory.
