The Samoan community in Melbourne, Australia is planning to donate $10,000 to families who have lost loved ones to measles.

Patrick Aumua, the Chairperson of the Samoan Community Leadership Network Inc. in Australia, told the Samoa Observer that the community felt bound by an obligation to help those in need. 

“The donation was from Samoans living in Melbourne, Australia who wanted to help families of the victims of measles,” he said.

Mr Aumua added that if you are born as a Samoan there is a sense of obligation to help your own when they are suffering. 

“The invitation to donate was open to anyone and it is my mission to get the funds directly to the families in need and are recovering," he said. 

“When we heard what had happened to our country, our church conducted prayer and fasting for two weeks.

“After fasting, we did a thanksgiving service and collected offerings which amounted to AUD$6,000.”

He made a decision to give the funds to Alofa mo Samoa Trust to distribute amongst the measles affected families.

“I do not have the time to go to each family especially that there are more than 80 but I chose the Alofa mo Samoa Trust because they were part of the “I love Samoa” concerts which also raised funds for measles victims.

“It may not be a lot but I hope our people and those receiving the funds will appreciate the thoughts given into collecting them.

“We acknowledge everyone that donated such as one of the churches in Melbourne, Assembly of God Saint Albans especially Pastor Tavita and Eseta Anitipa.”

According to the Ministry of Health the measles death toll stands at 83 with more than 5,000 measles cases that have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team since the outbreak started.