The Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.) has completed a nationwide COVID-19 outreach programme to prepare communities on how to respond to a coronavirus case.

The outreach programme was rolled out to more than 20 districts in Upolu and Savai'i.

The Ministry invited speakers from the World Health Organisation [W.H.O.], Ministry of Health [M.O.H.} and the Samoa Umbrella of Non-Government Organisations [S.U.N.G.O.] to talk to the villages on the impact of the coronavirus and what to do if there is a positive case in the community.

The outreach programme also focused discussions on providing solutions for social and economic issues that could possibly arise during these periods of uncertainty.

The COVID-19 outreach programme was done in two phases: the first phase was completed in June which covered all districts of Upolu and Manono, while the second phase was completed earlier this month in Savaii covering all the districts.

The villagers were advised that the Ministry will continue to work directly in the community, in order to increase awareness to ensure that they were fully prepared to respond, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 if it reaches our shores.

The Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, Tuitama Dr Talalelei Tuitama, in his keynote address at the conclusion of the nationwide rollout said all Government agencies as well as private sector organisations should work together.

“For any community work that we do for the development and improvement of our country, government ministry should always work together and communicate professionally,” he said. “Let’s work together not for anyone’s benefit but for everyone’s benefit and for Samoa’s benefit as a whole.”

He also highlighted the importance of these COVID-19 outreach programmes, saying through the outreach done the people will be in a better position on how to react. 

The Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development C.E.O., Afamasaga Faauiga Mulitalo, said the outreach programmes will not be last done by the Ministry as there are plans for more. 

The Ministry also acknowledged the support of their partners during their outreach program: World Health Organisation; Ministry of Health; Nuanua O Le Alofa; Faataua Le Ola; Samoa Family Health Association; Samoa Association of Sign Language Interpreters; United Nations Development Programme; UN Children's Fund; UN Women; UN Population Fund; UN Resident Coordinator Office; and DFAT Australia.