A disaster preparedness program led by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority has been completed in the community of Apolima Tai, helping residents better prepare for natural hazards.

The Community Disaster and Climate Risk Management (CDCRM) program was coordinated by the Disaster Management Office through a whole-of-government approach, with support from several partner agencies.

Apolima Tai’s isolation continues to pose challenges, including limited access to essential services and a high risk of natural disasters. These conditions make strong disaster planning and response critical for the community.

Despite its small population, residents actively participated in the program, building skills in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. This has helped create a more informed and capable community, better equipped to deal with future risks.

A key highlight of the program was a cyclone simulation exercise, where participants applied what they learned in a realistic emergency scenario. The exercise improved coordination and boosted confidence in responding to cyclone impacts.

Authorities thanked partner agencies, including the Samoa Meteorological Service, Samoa Family Health Association, Samoa Red Cross Society, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, ADRA Samoa, and the Accident Compensation Corporation, for their support.

The program was funded by the EU-ACP Fund through the Pacific Community (SPC) under the BSRP II Project.