Japan donated three new vehicles to the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) in a ceremony on Thursday, to strengthen emergency response services across the country.

The project was funded at about $356,521 under an agreement signed in November 2025.

Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa, Ryotaro Suzuki, attended the ceremony together with Associate Minister of SFESA Vui Sione Iiga, government leaders, and guests.

The vehicles include two 14-seater Toyota vans and one Nissan pickup truck. They will be used at fire stations in Apia, A’ana, and Savai’i.

Vui said the new vehicles will help improve response times, especially during fires and natural disasters, by allowing more staff and equipment to reach emergency sites faster.

Ambassador Suzuki said the project reflects Japan’s continued support for Samoa’s disaster response efforts through the Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

SFESA said many of its current vehicles can only carry a few staff members, which sometimes delays emergency response.

Japan has supported SFESA for many years with fire trucks, ambulances, rescue boats, and training programs through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Since SFESA’s establishment, Japan has been proud to support the Authority under the GGP programme with various vehicles and equipment, including fire trucks, ambulances and rescue boats, through projects implemented in 2009, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

These assets have been allocated to fire stations across Upolu and Savai’i Island.