The Samoa Red Cross Society has received a powerful new tool to help them stay connected and ready during disasters, a mobile IT and communications system known as the “IT in a Box.” 

Donated by the New Zealand Red Cross, the system is worth over NZ$200,000 and is designed to support emergency response even if the main office building is damaged or unsafe.

Kraig Winters of the New Zealand Red Cross explained that the machine allows the Samoa Red Cross to quickly disconnect and move their entire IT system, including internet, email, Facebook messages, and important databases, to any other location.

This means that if a disaster like an earthquake makes the Red Cross office unusable, the team can continue their work without losing contact or data.

“This IT box increases resilience,” Winters said.

“It keeps all their information and services working wherever they go, so they’re not limited to one building. They can still access volunteer contact lists, disaster management records, and even printing, all from the new location.

The system also boosts communication during disasters, especially when phone lines are down.

In the Pacific Islands, it can take days to restore mobile networks after a cyclone or earthquake. But with this IT box and a portable Starlink connection, Red Cross workers can stay online and respond to emergencies faster through social media and email.

Samoa is the fourth Pacific country to receive the “IT in a Box” system, following Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Vanuatu.

New Zealand Red Cross plans to install more systems in Tuvalu and other islands later this year. The technology lasts for five years before receiving an upgrade, but the main unit can be used for decades.

This donation marks a big step forward in making sure Samoa can stay strong, connected, and ready to respond when it matters most.