Stakeholders address gaps in the Disaster Response & Recovery Action Plan

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 12 December 2025: As Samoa enters the cyclone season, stakeholders from various government ministries and organisations have identified various gaps in the national Disaster Response and Recovery Action Plans during a one day consultation with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment (MNRE) and Disaster Management Office (DMO).

The consultation included a review of the existing Post Disaster, Emergency and Recovery action plan where the stakeholders and DMO partners identified many gaps that need to be addressed and how to improve the disaster response actions.

Such gaps identified include community protection gaps, communication and dissemination of information to the remote villages, the risks and assumptions of outcomes, lack of funds to action preparedness programs, awareness programs and inclusive programs.

Some of the representatives from various stakeholders that took part in the one day review of the disaster and recovery action plan.

Gaps identified that needed to be addressed
The working groups were asked to identify the gaps in the documents and share how to improve or address the gaps.

Specific gaps highlighted include:
* Inconsistent communications & and delayed flow of information out to the community.
* Lack of participation of the media who drives the dissemination of information out.
* Information to be very simple and in Samoan and English timely disseminated.
* Need more donor partners that can assist in funding.
* Gender balance.
* Accessibility and connectivity with everyone including people with disabilities.
*Need to establish a baseline database framework and
* the existing documented Action Plan is too ambitious and needs to be revisited.

The review is to strengthen Samoa’s disaster preparedness, response and recovery actions prior and after the impact of a disaster.

DMO Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Fesolai Molly Fa’amanatu Nielsen said the most pressing issue is technicality not only in information but also in the advanced digital platform the world is revolving around now.

The stakeholders have called for more technical training for the local staff and engage all digital companies in the country.
She also said the review is timely especially Samoa is in the cyclone season.

An agent in remote area
There are remote areas where information and assistance are delayed getting there, so the recommendations is to appoint preferably a youth to liaise between the Ministry and the village or district in times of a disaster.

Another important aspect raise by the stakeholders is to include the churches especially church ministers as a partner because of their central role and connection within the village communities.

The stakeholders are given one week to send in more feedback and recommendations on how to improve or address the existing gaps.