Vaimoso village has received 32 new 2000-litre water tanks in a major boost to access clean water and become resilient to the effects of climate change.

The donation of the water tanks was funded under Samoa’s Civil Society Support Program (C.S.S.P.), which is piloting a climate resilience project with financial support from the World Bank. 

Under the project, villages can apply for up to $50,000 tala to sponsor a development project which protects the village against the negative impacts of climate change. Vaimoso successfully submitted a proposal to install a rain water harvesting system in the form of water tanks.

Aulavemai Tafaito Selesele, the Vaimoso Fono chairperson, said the village needed a way to ensure they continued to have access to clean drinking water when storms or floods affected the water supply. 

One 2000-litre water tank – which will be installed by Vaimoso villagers – will supply water to five families. 

Toala Fuifui Schuster, a member of the women’s council of Vaimoso, said the village worked together to raise the funding needed to contribute 10 per cent of the water tank project’s cost. These included a major fundraiser last week which raised $16,000 tala. 

C.S.S.P. program manager, Pasina Christina Taua, said the Vaimoso water tank project is on track to be completed in record time. 

“The average implementation period for most villages is 12 months, but this process only began in April. They are doing really well and are on track to finish the work by the end of the year,” she said.

The role of the Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations (S.U.N.G.O.) – in assisting the villagers with their project proposal – was also acknowledged.