Disasters in Samoa

Samoa is particularly exposed because about 70% of its population and infrastructure are close to low-lying or coastal areas. Upolu and Savai'i also contain steep slopes that increase landslide risk, while Manono and Apolima can be harder to reach during a crisis. The wet season usually runs from November to April and the dry season from May to October, but dangerous events can occur outside these periods. Extreme risks identified for Samoa include tropical cyclones, severe weather, flooding, landslides, drought, coastal inundation, storm surges, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activity. Wildfire, pandemics, emerging diseases, biosecurity threats, utility or infrastructure failure, pollution, oil spills, hazardous chemical spills, large maritime incidents and atmospheric pollution can also create emergencies. Past events show the scale of possible losses. The 2009 earthquake and tsunami caused waves of up to 11 metres and damage estimated at about 22% of GDP, with reported death tolls of 143 or 148. Cyclone Evan in 2012 caused approximately 28% to 29% of GDP in damage and displaced about 7,500 people. Modelling estimates average annual losses of around US$10 million from earthquakes and tropical cyclones, with a 50% probability over 50 years of losses exceeding US$130 million and affecting up to 325 people. DEMA distinguishes a disaster that threatens life, health or the environment and may require agency intervention from an emergency involving major losses, a whole country or part of it, or resources beyond national capacity. The National Disaster Council (NDC), chaired by the Prime Minister, provides strategic control. The Disaster Advisory Committee (DAC) coordinates government departments, civil society, the private sector, researchers and development partners. The DMO operates within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), prepares plans, coordinates risk reduction and supports the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), the DAC and the NDC. The NEOC is located at Tuanaimato. The National Disaster Management Plan 2025-2035 and Samoa Disaster Risk Management Policy 2024-2034 guide preparedness and recovery. Community Disaster and Climate Risk Management programmes create village risk profiles, disaster committees, Village Response Teams, local response plans, training and exercises. The national plan also targets a National Evacuation Centres Guideline and at least one identified centre in each of Samoa's 51 districts within one to five years. The Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme supports local hazard zones, evacuation paths, safe assembly areas and movement to higher ground. The Samoa Meteorology Division (SMD) provides official weather, climate, earthquake and tsunami warnings through samets.gov.ws. Its warning system includes forecasts, severe weather information, marine forecasts, tropical cyclone outlooks, the Common Alerting and Warning System, sirens, radio, telecommunications, village councils, churches, schools and non-governmental organisations. The Multi-Hazard Early Warnings for All Roadmap 2026-2036 uses four linked functions: understanding risk, detecting and forecasting hazards, communicating warnings and preparing for response. Identified improvements include better coverage in rural areas and outer islands, especially Savai'i, cell broadcast, redundant communications, battery-supported VHF, BGAN or router systems, local communication networks and more inclusive, accessible and multilingual messages. Public warnings are described as free and do not require registration. Samoa's emergency operations use three NEOC levels: Standby, Action and Stand-down. Standby verifies the alert, assesses the situation, informs the DAC, NDC and response agencies, and prepares possible evacuation. Action can include a disaster declaration, activation of the Disaster Response Operations Plan, rapid assessment, search and rescue, evacuation, evacuation centres, humanitarian assistance and early recovery. A formal declaration is not required for every severe-weather or national-interest response. Under section 19 of DEMA, the NDC Chair can declare a disaster and activate the national plan immediately, normally for 48 hours with a possible further 48 hours. Under Articles 105 and 106 of the Constitution, the Head of State can issue a proclamation or emergency orders. The Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority handles fire, land rescue and ambulance services. The Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections Services supports security and police powers, including restricting access to dangerous areas and removing people from danger with proportionate force. The Ministry of Health leads medical care, public health and psychosocial support for health-related hazards. The Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development supports community welfare, while the Samoa Red Cross Society provides first aid and assistance. Maritime search and rescue may involve the police, SFESA and the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure. Family and village structures remain an important informal support alongside formal services. The NEOC coordinates evacuation and internally displaced people. Village Response Teams can move people from high-risk areas, while police help secure evacuation centres. Community welfare staff register evacuees, arrange temporary shelters and coordinate food, clothing and other resources according to the situation and assessed needs. Medical, ambulance, rescue and psychosocial assistance depends on the hazard, the activation of a centre and available resources. Samoa has no general permanent disaster cash payment documented in the available research. International assistance is requested when national capacity is exceeded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Finance collect requests through the NEOC, and the NDC decides how assistance is coordinated. Aid may include response teams, supplies, shelter, food and clothing and is distributed according to needs assessments. A trigger-based Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company macro-insurance payment plan was being finalised for 2025; it does not create an automatic individual entitlement. Recovery begins during the response and continues after stand-down. Authorities conduct debriefings, lessons-learned reviews, post-disaster damage and needs assessments, financial analysis and a recovery framework involving the Ministry of Finance, sector ministries and other agencies. Recovery priorities can include water and sanitation, electricity, transport, telecommunications, housing, health services, ports and the airport. The DMO can revise plans, procedures, training and warning methods using the findings. Official warnings and coordination channels do not charge users, while shelter, food and medical support depend on assessed needs and available resources.