Pacific / American Samoa

American Samoa extends state of emergency

08:09 am on 15 March 2018

American Samoa is still cleaning a territory littered with cyclone debris. The governor yesterday extended a state of emergency for a further 30 days. Photo: Twiiter/ Aumua Amata

A state of emergency in American Samoa has been extended for a further 30 days.

The territory was hard hit by Cyclone Gita in early February, which caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

The governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, said there were still hundreds of homes damaged and many families displaced.

He said the extension of emergency powers would facilitate a speedy recovery, allowing fast-tracked rebuilding and federal assistance programmes.