Samoa has outlined its disaster preparedness priorities, including improvements to early warning systems, emergency response facilities and community resilience, at the 5th Annual Disaster Resilience Summit held in American Samoa on 27 October 2026.
Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Honourable Ale Vena Ale, addressed the summit under the theme Fortitude and Resilience, highlighting Samoa’s efforts to strengthen disaster management and cooperation with American Samoa.
The Minister said Pacific island communities continue to face threats from tropical cyclones, rising tides, earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural hazards. He emphasised that resilience depends not only on infrastructure but also on faith, traditional values and the willingness of communities to support one another.
Samoa’s disaster management arrangements operate under the Disaster and Emergency Management Act 2007, with the National Disaster Council providing national direction and the Disaster Management Office coordinating disaster management activities.
The Minister highlighted the Samoa Disaster Risk Management Policy 2024–2034 and National Disaster Management Plan 2025–2035 as key documents guiding the country’s preparedness and response efforts.
At community level, Samoa’s Community Disaster and Climate Risk Management Programme works across 362 villages, supported by initiatives including the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme and Field Ready Programme. These efforts also consider the needs of vulnerable groups, including older people, persons with disabilities and children.
The Minister said plans are progressing for two national emergency warehouses at Tuanaimato and Faleolo to support disaster response operations.
He also confirmed the recent construction of the Savai’i Emergency Operations Centre, which will coordinate emergency response and early recovery activities while providing information to the National Emergency Operations Centre.
Another priority is Samoa’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning for All Roadmap 2026–2036, which provides a national framework for improving disaster warnings through mobile cell broadcasting and the expansion of emergency siren networks.
The Government is also developing scientific disaster risk profiles across fourteen sectors to identify vulnerabilities, capacity gaps and priorities for disaster preparedness.
While acknowledging limitations in funding, technical equipment and human resources, the Minister reaffirmed Samoa’s commitment to improving emergency response capabilities and preparedness.
He also stressed the importance of cooperation with American Samoa through shared early warning information, coordinated community awareness programmes and closer alignment of disaster response plans.
Referring to the spirit of Atoa o Samoa, he said both countries share deep cultural connections and many of the same disaster risks.
“Resilience is built through cooperation, trust and action well before disaster strikes,” the Minister said.
