The Government has allocated $2 million tala from its 2021/2022 Budget to support the Shelter and Hygiene Facilities Programme that will target Samoa’s most vulnerable in the community.

The multimillion tala programme is a partnership between the Government and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (A.D.R.A.) and Caritas Samoa. 

The Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, signed an agreement with the programme’s partners on Friday to signal the start of the project.

“It gives me great pleasure to have you all here today [Friday] for the  signing of this Shelter and Hygiene Facilities Programme in  partnership between the Government of Samoa and A.D.R.A. and Caritas Samoa,” Mulipola said. 

“The Government is fully committed to continue this programme as it is in line with the Government’s strategic priorities and ensuring that the most vulnerable in our communities are provided the assistance in improving their homes and livelihood during these  unprecedented times.”

According to the Minister, the Government’s assistance through the project’s implementers will enable the building of homes for vulnerable families, improve living conditions and build proper sanitation facilities for families to guard against COVID-19 and other diseases, as well as connect water for families to enable them to better adapt to natural disasters and emergencies.

The A.D.R.A. and Caritas Samoa are not new to supporting and leading community-focused development intervention programmes to sustain livelihoods in Samoa’s rural communities.

The contribution of both organisations to Samoa’s development was not lost on the Minister of Finance, who said: “To conclude, I would like to thank the charitable work carried out by A.D.R.A. and Caritas Samoa over the years for our people and their heart to take up this programme with the intention of continuing to help our vulnerable people and families.”

The Caritas Samoa Director, Father Pesamino Victor and A.D.R.A. Country Director Afioga Su'a Julia Wallwork signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. The signing ceremony on Friday was also witnessed by the Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio and a number of Cabinet Ministers.