Samoa to Strengthen its Disaster Preparedness though Fono Faavae
2026-02-01 - 04:19
Samoa will be strengthening its disaster preparedness with a 10 year Natural Disaster Management Plan 2025-2035 to be coordinated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said the Government will prioritise and strengthen Samoa’s preparedness for responding to emergencies. He set out some important initiatives to be led and supported through the District Development Committees or Fono Faavae. Samoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt says the Natural Disaster Management Plan 2025-2035 will include key initiatives being implemented by Fono Faavae. In a press conference this past week, Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said Cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to prepare a 10 year Natural Disaster Management Plan 2025-2035. “Ua tatou iai i le vaitau o suiga tetele ma’aleale o le tau ma ua toe fai ai le faamalosiga o faiga faavae ina ia puipui Samoa ao tatou iai i i taimi o afā ma matagi malolosi, timuga ma lolovaia ma mea uma faapena..” “E le gata i le taulaga ae o nofoaga uma i le atunuu atoa e aafia ai itumalo uma i nuu i tua.” Laaulialemalietoa said the 51 District Development Committees should lead by providing education and awareness, setting up emergency signals and ensuring sirens are installed. Visit our website today and invest in your future. “If there are 51 Fono Faavae then there should be 51 sirens and early warning systems installed,” said the Prime Minister. District Development Committees should also be taking the lead on awareness and building shelters for communities in case of emergencies and natural disaster. Fono faavae should be responsible for building evacuation centers in higher grounds for all residents to move to during natural disaster emergencies, said the Prime Minister. Laaulialemalietoa added that Fono Fa’avae should be running trainings and workshops to be conducted in all districts so people understand what needs to be done in times of emergencies. “Ia fesootai Fono Faavae e 51 e una’ia galuega faalauiloa mo le silafia e le atunuu i puipuiga mo soo se taimi lava e tulai mai ai faalavelave faafuasei.” Lastly Prime Minister emphasized the importance of re-establishing of emergency drills in Apia and the heavily populated urban areas. “E lē o toe mamao ae toe fai a tatou faataitaiga poo drills ia e masani ona fai i le taulaga pe a tupu le faalavelave..” SOS NEW STOCK