Groups Starts Samoa Cyclone Relief Fund

A Samoan cultural organization in Carson has set up a relief fund to assist victims of Cyclone Val, which battered the Samoan Islands last week and left thousands homeless.

The tempest also knocked out communication lines, which have yet to be entirely restored. Many in Carson’s Samoan community have been unable to contact relatives on the islands, said Fa’auliulito H. Meni, a group spokeswoman.

Meni said Cyclone Val lasted more than five days and struck Western Samoa particularly hard, knocking out electricity and water supplies before subsiding. Donations of such items as food, clothing and blankets can be made through the Samoan Hurricane Relief Fund, (310) 835-3289.