China donates $50,000 to Safata communities affected by Manawanui disaster

Apia, Samoa – 10 February 2025 – Communities in the Safata district, whose livelihoods were impacted by maritime closures due to the sinking of the New Zealand navy vessel HMNZ Manawanui, have received a WST$50,000 donation from the Chinese Embassy in Apia.

The villagers have not been allowed to fish in the area where the Manawanui sank off the coast of Tafitoala village since the disaster in October 2024.

Community leaders met with Chinese embassy staff on Wednesday last week to seek livelihood assistance from Beijing and the Chinese embassy responded and met with the village the next day.

“We express great gratitude for what they have done for us,” said Vaiee chief Tuia Pu’a Letoa.

Tuia said this is not the end of the Chinese assistance who have expressed this is only the beginning as there were other projects discussed and ways they can help the villagers through the process.

The district will meet again Wednesday this week to discuss how they will distribute the money.

Community leaders from the Safata District in Samoa met with staff from the Chinese Embassy in Apia. February 2025 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Tuia Pu’a Leota

Meanwhile, the district is still waiting for any assistance or compensation from the Samoan or New Zealand governments.

Samoa and New Zealand have been in discussions over Manawanui compensation. Samoa’s CEO of Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Fui Tupai Mau Simanu said compensation had been requested by the communities affected by the ship sinking.

He said the impact assessment evaluation conducted by the Marine Pollution Advisory Committee is now complete and the report is being finalised.

The first removal of fuel occurred at the beginning of last month, with a second cycle starting at the end of the month.

In their latest statement, the NZDF said the second cycle of the removal of fuel has been completed.

“The salvors have recovered a significant amount of liquid from the tanks on the Manawanui after operating above the ship for the past 17 days,” NZDF senior national representative for operation resolution Commodore Andrew Brown said.

Commodore Brown added that, with the diesel fuel and other pollutants’ removal well underway, the focus is now shifting to the next steps for Manawanui.

“The Samoan and New Zealand governments are working closely together to identify what these next steps will be. The area around the Manawanui is still currently off-limits.”