Oregon Public Broadcasting

Humanitarian organizations from the Northwest are on their way to Samoa to help in the wake of a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

35 medical professionals from the “Oregon Disaster Medical Team” left Wednesday night.

Among them is Doctor Helen Miller of Eugene.

Helen Miller: “We go in and do what the community identifies as their greatest need that they can't meet. So we've done missions such as hospital support sort of being an emergency department outside. A lot of times after earthquakes people don't want to go inside.”

The Federal Way, Washington -based humanitarian organization World Vision is also sending help to Samoa.

The organization's national program director is a Samoan American, who will be flying to Samoa to direct World Vision's relief efforts.