But as the day progressed, worse news was to come.

The killer tidal wave that swept her tiny beachside village off the map claimed the lives of 11 of her family members, a reality she was struggling to comprehend yesterday.

"I have lost my sister and 10 of my cousins," she said.

"Six of them were children aged between two and 14. My sister's body was found still clinging to a two-year-old baby.

"It hit at 5.50am local time, so they were all still in bed. All the people that are now dead were people sleeping in huts on the beach.

"I keep thinking of the children - they were so young and would not have known what to do."

Ms Aiesi, who has lived in Ballarat since 1997, said she remained numbed by the tragedy.

She said she had brief contact with a sister who survived but all electricity supplies to the village were cut, leaving mobile phones unable to be charged.

"I just don't know how to react," she said.

"I have two brothers and a sister trying to get back now but I don't think I can handle it.

"It's not just one funeral, it's too many."

Ms Aiesi said she regularly returned to her home village and could not comprehend the devastation and "sheer sadness" of the situation.

"They need a lot of help, there is no power, no shelter, no water, they need food and clothing," she said.

"And this is just one village, there are so many others affected.

"I feel so helpless not being there but think I can be helping by doing this, by reaching out and gathering as much as I can."

She said she worried about the future of the island, with its largest industry - tourism - now in jeopardy.

"While they have lost everything,they have very high spirits the Samoans and they will pick up and move on," she said.

Ms Aiesi appealed for donations of food and clothing to be sent to her village and requested any people with disused foot or hand operated sewing machines to get in touch with her.

"There is no power but if we can give women manual sewing machines, they will be able to make their own clothes," she said.

To donate, phone Ms Aiesi on 5334 2002 or email laiesi@ipasifika.net