The Australian Government is providing AUD$20 million (WST37.5 million) to support Samoa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A virtual signing agreement for the “Samoa Fiscal Resilience Program and the COVID19 Support Package Assistance” between the two Governments was held last Friday. 

The agreement was signed by Samoa’s Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o and Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa, Emily Luck. 

The AUD$20 million funding will support Samoa’s response to and recovery from the ongoing socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and support key policy reforms.

This funding was made available through the Australian Government’s development program and the Pacific COVID-19 Response Package. 

Ms. Luck said Australia has worked and will continue to work alongside the Government of Samoa to identify the short-term and longer-term priority needs to be addressed through this funding package.

“Together we are working to respond to COVID-19 while also positioning Samoa, and the region, for a strong economic recovery,” said Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa. 

Mulipola said the funding partnership will allow Samoan society to adapt and come back clean, green and developed through sustainable growth with people and communities at the centre. 

“The AUD$20 million grant will help the Government’s efforts towards health preparedness as part of its COVID-19 response as well as incentivise financial and economic policy reforms to support growth and recovery; and building resilience particularly of our vulnerable population,” the Minister said. 

Furthermore, Mulipola acknowledged Australia’s contribution and its continuous support to the sustainable development of Samoa, over the last 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

“I acknowledge the support of our entire country and communities," the Minister said. “We also acknowledge with thanks the full commitment of all the people involved in the management and operations of our COVID 19 preparation and response, in particular our front liners who have been working tirelessly since the health pandemic surfaced globally for the safety and health of Samoa.”

The Minister of Finance said the general budget support will contribute significantly to the operational costs of the country's COVID response strategy.

“Part of the funding will go towards the funding of vulnerability and economic focused grants to N.G.O. and civil society organisations already earmarked by the Government and included in its current budget.”

A joint statement issued by the Government of Samoa and the Australian High Commission said Australia and Samoa’s enduring friendship has been defined by the two nations' commitment to each other, not just in times of prosperity, but also in their moments of need. 

“We have supported each other during Samoa’s measles epidemic, Australia’s bushfires, and more recently, the devastating floods which saw Samoan seasonal workers come to the aid of our Australian communities. 

“We continue this strong history of support as we face the challenges of COVID-19 together.”

Announced in October 2020, the Response Package is a $304.7 million fund that has provided support to the Pacific and Timor-Leste to deliver temporary and targeted economic and fiscal assistance to address pandemic impacts, including to maintain essential health and other services, and protect the most vulnerable, with a focus on women and girls.