Australia has committed A$4 million (T$7.3 million tala) to Samoa over the next four years through the Samoa Disability Partnership (S.D.P.) Programme. 

This was revealed by Australia's Acting High Commissioner, Amanda Jewell, during the closing of the Samoa Disability Programme - Phase 1 at the Moanalisa Hotel.

The funding assistance will focus on disability-inclusive policy and implementation across Government, disability people’s organisations, service providers and communities sustainability of services.

Phase 1 is focused on introducing a range of Government-wide policies, systems and processes and raising awareness of the priorities and rights of people with disabilities at community and national level, and on strengthening inclusive and disability-specific services. 

Ms. Jewel congratulated all their partners for their continued commitment and efforts to support people living with disabilities in Samoa.

She said Australia was proud to be the lead development for disability in Samoa and revealed that 1,889 mobility devices 

“Strengthen the capacity of its subgroups and stakeholders to become instrumental in moving Samoa towards a human rights approach.

“Delivering awareness programs to communities in Upolu and Savaii, 1,889 mobility devices have been provided to people with disabilities in the rural and urban areas of Samoa and to highlight further the commitment to people with disabilities, the Government of Samoa ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability in December 2016,” she said.

She said a new emphasis of the second phase is the support of the hearing services at the new Ear, Nose and Throat Unit at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, which is in partnership with Ministry of Health.

“We commend the Government of Samoa for their enduring commitment and priority to ensuring an inclusive Samoa.

“We look forward to collaborating a strengthening our partnership in the next phase of the S.D.P.P,” she added.

According to Nuanua O Le Alofa, “national advocacy organisation of persons with disabilities in achieving S.D.P. 1 goal is based on a social model of disability".

“This recognises that attitudes, practices and structures are disabling and can prevent people with disabilities from working, from being included in communities and being treated as equal citizens. This is not the inevitable result of the person’s disability.”