On September 29, 2009, Samoa was hit by a tsunami triggered by a submarine earthquake, the largest earthquake of the year. Aid came quickly to the hundreds of families devastated by the tsunami from the nearby Samoan Red Cross and the New Zealand police. From the U.S., MicroDreams provided direct aid and operational leadership to hundreds of families devastated by the tsunami. MicroDreams worked in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Mercy Corps, which channeled the funds it raised for the relief efforts in Samoa through the existing network of MicroDreams and SPBD. The relief and recovery efforts of MicroDreams and its partner microfinance institution were covered by the Samoa Observer.