A week after a powerful earthquake in the Pacific Ocean triggered a series of tsunamis that devastated a chain of islands in the region, the United Nations on Wednesday reported that thousands remain homeless and warned against the heightened risk of outbreaks of disease.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that around 3,200 Samoans have been forced from their homes, while the death toll stands at 137 people, with 310 injured and six still missing in the aftermath of the 8.0 magnitude earthquake on the ocean bed.

OCHA said that assessments by the Samoan Red Cross (SRC) indicate that the Sept. 29 earthquake, with its epicenter 190 kilometers south of the Samoan capital of Apia, sent waves crashing down on 40 villages along the south-eastern coast, completely destroying 20 of them.

The government estimated the cost of damage to infrastructure, including public and private properties, amounts to around 150 million U.S. dollars as it downgraded the situation in the South Pacific island from a "State of Disaster" to a "State of Emergency. "

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that UN agencies are conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and coordinating with the government to develop a plan for reconstruction and recovery, and that health surveillance system is in place and reporting daily.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is on the ground in Samoa to meet the urgent needs of the estimated 9,000 affected children, 2, 000 of whom are thought to be displaced.

"From experience, UNICEF knows that in an emergency, children are the most affected," said the UNICEF Pacific representative, Isiye Ndombi. "It is therefore essential they have access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, are protected from vaccine- preventable diseases such as measles and are able to resume education."

The team arrived in Apia at the end of last week with thousands of emergency supply sets of oral re-hydration salts, water purification tablets and promotional materials on basic health practices in emergencies. At the weekend UNICEF managed to fly in early childhood development kits and recreational kits.

WHO also voiced concern over the increase of risk of vector- borne diseases, health risks to displaced persons in affected areas and problems caused by the absence of waste disposal and sanitation in the Somoan and Tongan islands.

A total of nine people died on the Tongan island of Niuatoputapu and more than 300 people were left homeless as a result of the tsunami, which destroyed 80 houses and seriously damaged another 56, OCHA reported.

OCHA said that shelter and water top list of needs for the survivors. WHO reported that a clean water supply has been restored and sufficient food supplies are available on the island.

The government is slated to conduct an assessment mission Wednesday to consider lifting the State of Emergency in Niuatoputapu.

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