Secretary-General ‘Deeply Saddened’ by Loss of Life, Destruction

of Property in Wake of Tsunami in South Pacific

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life, injury, and destruction of property due to the earthquake and tsunami that hit Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga on 29 September 2009.  The Secretary-General is also closely following the impact of the earthquake that occurred near western Sumatra today. 

He extends his condolences to the families of those who have been killed, injured or rendered homeless. 

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is deploying an emergency team to Samoa.  The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance as required and is already mobilizing to do so.

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For information media • not an official record