VOA标准英语2009年-Samoans Get Aid, Struggle to Move On

By Mike O'Sullivan
American Samoa
12 October 2009

 
Two boys walk through a damaged village in American Samoa
The U.S. military, civilian¹ agencies and private aid organizations have been providing assistance for tsunami²-ravaged sections of American Samoa.  Nearly 200 people died when the September 29 tsunami struck the Samoan islands and Tonga.  Residents are struggling to move on, as they remember those lost.

The tsunami flattened³ nearly everything in the center of the village of Asili. 

But most of the village's 600 people are staying close to their homes, says resident Gene⁴ Sevaaetasi. "There is a shelter here, but almost all the villagers are reluctant to use it, mainly because of the shock of the tsunami hasn't left anyone yet.  And there are personal belongings⁵ that they are trying to stay near to," he said.

Supplies have started arriving, and Red Cross workers are showing the people how to put up their new tents.

The classmates of a sixth grade girl lost in the tsunami came for a final memorial, and school principal Evelyn Lilio says it was a moving experience. "We've come with many wonderful memories and one beautiful event that has taken place is that as soon as we arrive, whales appeared in the distance, and they moved in closer while we sang.  So we've been very, very touched by that," she said.

Nikolao Pula of the U.S. Interior Department says the tsunami has been hard for everyone. "I think the people are overwhelmed because of the situation.  Some are shocked, and of course there will always be those who need more help in different ways, in emotional, and we hope to receive some counseling for those folks.  But the church groups here have been really helpful as well," he said.

Nerves for many here are raw.  A tsunami watch Wednesday sent cars and busses heading for higher ground.

People in these in these stricken village say they need all the help they can get as the start rebuilding.

1 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

2 tsunami   

n.海啸

参考例句：

• Powerful quake sparks tsunami warning in Japan.大地震触发了日本的海啸预警。
• Coastlines all around the Indian Ocean inundated by a huge tsunami.大海啸把印度洋沿岸地区都淹没了。

3 flattened   

[医]（水）平扁的，弄平的

参考例句：

• She flattened her nose and lips against the window. 她把鼻子和嘴唇紧贴着窗户。
• I flattened myself against the wall to let them pass. 我身体紧靠着墙让他们通过。

4 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

5 belongings   

n.私人物品，私人财物

参考例句：

• I put a few personal belongings in a bag.我把几件私人物品装进包中。
• Your personal belongings are not dutiable.个人物品不用纳税。