The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is assessing the situation in Samoa and the surrounding area following the earthquake and tsunami there. Efforts are underway to determine the Church’s humanitarian response including coordination with government and disaster relief organizations.
Communication in the region has been limited. All missionaries have been accounted for with the exception of two local sister missionaries from the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission serving on the Tongan island of Niuatoputapu, which borders Samoa. Efforts to communicate with people on the island have not been successful. However, Church leaders continue to work with government officials to make contact.
According to news reports, over 150 people have died in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. Church reports indicate that 26 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have died. Twenty-two were in Samoa and four were in American Samoa.*
* The information in this paragraph has been updated since this news release was first published.