STRENGTHENING DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING – JULY 7, 2026

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through its Disaster Management Office (DMO), today officially opened a three-day Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Concepts Training, reaffirming the Government of Samoa’s commitment to building resilient institutions and enhancing national capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

The training, held at Hotel Elisa from 7–9 July 2026, brings together disaster management focal points from government ministries and agencies. The programme is designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of Samoa’s disaster risk management framework and improve cross-sector coordination.

In her opening remarks, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the DMO, Fesola’i Faamanatu Molly Nielsen, welcomed participants and emphasized the Government’s dedication to disaster resilience. She noted that the training represents a critical step in translating Samoa’s disaster risk management policies into practical action by equipping agencies with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to effectively manage emergencies.

This initiative follows the recent launch of Samoa’s Disaster Risk Management Policy 2024–2034, National Disaster Management Plan 2025–2035, and the Multi-Hazard Early Warnings for All Roadmap 2026–2036. Together, these frameworks establish Samoa’s long-term vision for disaster risk reduction and emergency management. The DRM Concepts Training is the first of five planned competency-based programmes supporting the implementation of these national strategies.

Over the course of three days, participants will engage in interactive presentations, practical exercises, and group discussions covering key topics such as disaster risk governance, sector coordination, leadership during emergencies, disaster communications, response planning, recovery planning, and exercise management. These sessions will provide practical tools to strengthen decision-making, coordination, and integration of disaster risk management principles across all sectors.

The training responds to Samoa’s growing need to strengthen institutional capacity in the face of increasing risks from natural hazards, climate-related and non-climatic events. By enhancing sector-wide awareness and practical understanding, the programme aims to improve preparedness, support coordinated emergency responses, and build resilience within communities nationwide.

Delivered in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA), with funding support from the European Union’s Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific 2 project.